Russia sending puppy to Paris in support gesture

The puppy is named Dobrynya after a Russian fairy-tale knight

Paris

: Russia's interior minister says he will send a German shepherd puppy to the French police to honor a police dog killed in action and express solidarity with France in the aftermath of the Paris attacks.

France's National Police say a 7-year-old Belgian shepherd named Diesel was \"killed by terrorists\" on Wednesday during a raid in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.

Gen. Vladimir Kolokoltsevs said in a statement late on Friday that along with his condolences over the deadly attacks he will send to his French counterpart a puppy so that it \"could replace Diesel.\"

Kolokoltsev said the puppy was named Dobrynya after a Russian fairy-tale knight who \"symbolizes strength, goodness, valor and unconditional support.\"