Can you believe that a cat once saved a person’s life? This incredible story happened during the Soviet era, and it’s true! A black cat named Lama became a hero by repeatedly saving a Soviet citizen and even Brezhnev himself. It may sound like a fable, but this story is genuine. In fact, during that time, the Soviet Union wouldn’t have fabricated such a tale.

But where did Brezhnev even get the cat from? It’s surprising, but after being invited to India multiple times, the former leader finally agreed and was deeply moved by the warm welcome he received there. Upon his return, he brought home a four-legged black friend, gifted to him by the Dalai Lama himself.

Upon first seeing the animal, Brezhnev thought it was strange and awkward, resembling a panther. However, he didn’t hesitate to accept it as a gift and gave it the nickname Lama. The Dalai Lama offered two valuable instructions before parting ways: that only Brezhnev should feed the animal and that in times of trouble or danger, Brezhnev should listen to the animal’s opinion to avoid disaster. The Indian seer guaranteed that if danger was imminent, the cat would bite, scratch, and pull on Brezhnev’s trouser leg to prevent his owner from meeting death.

Initially, Brezhnev and his associates were doubtful about the arrival of a tiny four-legged creature. However, their outlook soon changed. The feline’s introduction to Leonid Ilyich’s surroundings and companions was swift. The cat was apprehensive towards strangers, with an exception for Brezhnev’s grandson Andryusha. It was noted that the cat had a fondness for the boy and would occasionally spend the night in his room. A peculiar revelation was that the feline adhered to a strict protocol of only accepting food from Leonid Ilyich’s hands, which usually consisted of a serving of veal with blood.

January 22, 1969 was a day of celebration in Moscow as four cosmonauts – Shatalov, Khrunev, Eliseev, and Volynov – returned to earth. However, amidst the festivities, a chaotic incident occurred. The Chaika cars carrying the esteemed guests were shot at with a pistol, and it was believed that Leonid Ilyich was the target. Fortunately, a fortunate coincidence involving a black and fluffy detail prevented any casualties.

Since the morning, Brezhnev was troubled by his mischievous cat, Lama. The feline acted out of character by meowing loudly, scratching and biting Brezhnev’s legs and arms while he was still in bed. Just before Brezhnev was leaving his house, Lama’s behavior became even more erratic as he tried to prevent his owner from leaving by attacking him aggressively. It was at this moment that Brezhnev recalled the parting words of a Tibetan high priest. He decided to order his driver to move to the end of the column of cars and take his time. This decision proved to be crucial as it ultimately saved his life.

Lama the feline proved her worth yet again on February 20, 1970, when she saved the life of Brezhnev. The incident occurred at the crack of dawn when Lama found her way into Brezhnev’s bedroom and chomped down on his pants. The leader was convinced that his cat had some kind of predictive power. Upon reflection, Leonid Ilyich decided to stay home for the day. It turned out that the decision was a wise one because the car that he would have been traveling in was involved in a terrible accident. There is no doubt that he would not have survived if he had been inside. After this close call, Brezhnev held and fed his “guardian angel” tender morsels of meat.

On March 23, 1982, Brezhnev had a planned visit that included a stop at an aircraft factory. However, the head of security warned against it due to the lack of security measures in place, making the area unsafe. Knowing Brezhnev’s tendency to value the behavior of his cat, the security chief played his last card and informed him about the feline’s distress, loud cries, and unusual behavior while searching for its owner.
Unfortunately, Brezhnev took offense to the interference in his personal life and disregarded the warning. He was determined to maintain his authority at all costs, but this decision proved to be a mistake.

Brezhnev narrowly escaped a fatal accident at the aircraft assembly center when the rafters holding up the aircraft gave way. It was a miracle that he survived. Interestingly, his assistant remembered the exact time of the incident: 13:23. However, there was another living being involved in this incident – Brezhnev’s cat, Lama. At the same moment, Lama chewed through his metal leash and ran out the window, only to be hit by a passing car. Brezhnev was devastated when he found out about the death of his beloved pet, and many even believed that Lama had sacrificed his life for his owner. Do you know of any other stories that are as mystical as this one?