Vladimir Putin's army is turning to wild animals in a desperate bid to try and counter the threat from Ukrainian drones.

Army chiefs are pondering using wolves to help detect the approach of the deadly UAVS.

Troops say the animals have a good sense of smell, are sociable and active, and can warn of danger in advance.

Russian commanders have decided to run an experiment to see if wolves can make a difference.

Two tamed wolves have been dispatched to Ukraine to serve with a unit that is fighting there.

A Russian news agency reported: “The predators can hear the approach of drones and warn of danger in advance.

"They will help Russian soldiers carry out combat missions in the [war] zone.”

The two females were rescued from the Siberian region of Khakassia and raised by wolf-tamer Aleksandr Konchakov.

In a video, he can be seen feeding ice cream to one of the wolves, called Vysota.

He said: “The puppies were simply brought to me by hunters without a mother.

“They have excellent intuition and are smart.”

Moscow State Circus chief Edgard Zapashny said: “I hope these two female wolves, who will now be with our fighters, will not be harmed, and that the men will surround them with care and ensure their safety.

“In turn, they will save the lives of our soldiers.”

This would not be the first time that Russia's army has turned to animals for help.

Russia has a history of training marine mammals such as dolphins for military purposes.

A beluga whale suspected of having been trained as a spy by Russia was recently found dead off the Norwegian coast.