NAFO: One Year of Fighting "Vatniks"

On May 19, 2022, in the midst of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the North Atlantic Fellas Organization (NAFO) came into existence. Quickly thereafter it began to grow, using memes of Shiba Inu dogs as avatars in their Twitter profiles, to argue with Russian officials and others who voiced pro-Russian or anti-Ukraine viewpoints.

Now, NAFO is celebrating one year of existence.

The absurdity of a dog arguing with Russian officials is such that, as The Economist wrote, "NAFO's flippancy obscures its role as a remarkably successful form of information warfare."

In an earlier interview with Kyiv Post, NAFO founder Kamil Dyszewski said that "Governments from across the world, including the Ukrainian government, have been immensely positive towards NAFO and towards me as an individual. One example is TVP, the Polish state-owned media platform. They broadcasted about NAFO, which in a way serves as an endorsement. As you have probably seen before, we’ve been recognized by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, including [minister] Oleksii Reznikov, [presidential adviser] Mykhailo Podolyak and others. As far as the 'standard' West goes, we’ve been endorsed by U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, as well as U.K. Minister of Defense Ben Wallace."

The Organization, aside from attacking pro-Russian narratives, has raised millions of dollars for Ukrainian charities and continues to expand, as per its motto that "NAFO expansion is non-negotiable."

To become a member is relatively straightforward: One need only to donate to their "favorite charity that supports Ukraine's defenders or make a purchase from a store that directs its profits to Ukraine." Thereafter, the donor's name and likeness are passed onto artists who craft a custom dog image for them.

Asked by Kyiv Post, one year on, if he was pleased by the growth of NAFO's founder, Kamil Dyszewski, replied "Who wouldn't be?"