In the small village of Sarichne in Ukraine’s Rivne region, an extraordinary friendship has captured the hearts of social media users worldwide. Iryna Tokmina, a young Ukrainian woman, has formed an unlikely bond with Boris, a wild deer who has become her daily companion and internet sensation.
Boris first appeared in Sarichne seven years ago. Still, it was only five months ago that Iryna began documenting their special relationship. What started as casual encounters has blossomed into a heartwarming routine that has made both Boris and Iryna famous across social media platforms.
The friendship began when Iryna first encountered Boris during one of his regular visits to the village. Unlike most wild deer, who flee at the sight of humans, Boris showed no fear. Instead, he seemed curious and approached Iryna willingly. This marked the beginning of what would become a daily ritual that has touched thousands of people online.
“When I met him five months ago, his antlers were tiny. He was young,” Iryna shared with her followers. The transformation from a young deer with tiny antlers to the magnificent creature he is today has been documented through her regular posts, showing Boris’s growth and development.
Boris has established himself as more than just a wild visitor — he’s become Iryna’s personal alarm clock. Every morning, without fail, Boris arrives at Iryna’s home looking for his breakfast. This routine has become so reliable that Iryna depends on it to start her day.
“Boris was my alarm deer. Boris always has a good appetite,” she explains to her growing audience of over 142,000 Instagram followers. The deer’s punctuality and consistent visits have made him an integral part of her daily routine.
The relationship between Iryna and Boris challenges conventional wisdom about wild animals. Boris doesn’t just visit — he practically makes himself at home. The deer has been known to approach Iryna’s door and even peer inside, showing a level of trust rarely seen between wild animals and humans.
However, Iryna is careful to maintain appropriate boundaries. “Boris the deer is not domesticated. Don’t approach me with empty hands,” she warns her followers, emphasising that while Boris is friendly with her, he still maintains his wild nature and expects food in exchange for his visits.
Boris’s appetite is legendary among Iryna’s followers. According to her posts, the deer can consume an entire bucket of apples in a single day. His love for food is evident in every interaction, and Iryna has learned to keep a steady supply of his favourite treats on hand.
“He used to come every morning and go back to the forest,” Iryna explains. This pattern shows that despite their close relationship, Boris hasn’t abandoned his wild instincts entirely. He maintains his forest home while treating Iryna’s place as his daily breakfast spot.
The daily feeding routine has become a carefully orchestrated event. Iryna prepares Boris’s meals with the same care she might show for a beloved pet. The deer has learned to wait patiently while she gathers his food, demonstrating remarkable intelligence and adaptation to human schedules.
Boris’s temperament varies with his hunger levels. “Boris the deer, when hungry is not in the mood,” Iryna notes, suggesting that, like many animals, his personality changes based on his immediate needs. This observation shows the depth of understanding that has developed between them over months of daily interactions.
The outdoor meetings have become a regular feature of their relationship. Boris understands that certain areas around Iryna’s home are safe spaces where he can relax and enjoy his meals. The deer’s body language in these encounters shows complete trust and comfort.
These outdoor sessions have provided some of the most popular content for Iryna’s social media accounts. Her followers eagerly await daily updates about Boris’s visits, and the comments sections are filled with people from around the world expressing their amazement at this unique friendship.
The trust between Iryna and Boris extends beyond simple feeding. The deer allows her to be in very close proximity, something that would typically cause wild deer to flee. This level of comfort suggests a genuine bond has formed, transcending the typical human-wildlife relationship.
Iryna has shared videos showing Boris’s various moods and behaviours, including moments when he appears to be “drooling” in anticipation of his favourite treats. These intimate glimpses into Boris’s personality have endeared him to followers worldwide.
The village of Sarichne provides the perfect backdrop for this unusual friendship. The rural setting, where the boundaries between human habitation and wildlife habitat blur, creates an environment where such relationships can develop naturally. The peaceful coexistence shown in these images offers a hopeful message during challenging times.
The story of Boris and Iryna has resonated far beyond their small Ukrainian village. In a time when the country faces significant challenges, their friendship represents something pure and hopeful. The daily ritual of a young woman feeding a wild deer has become a source of joy for thousands of people seeking positive news.
Iryna’s documentation of their friendship has turned both her and Boris into social media celebrities. Still, at its heart, this remains a simple story about kindness, consistency, and the unexpected connections that can form between humans and wildlife. Boris continues his daily visits, Iryna continues to provide his breakfast, and their followers around the world continue to find hope and happiness in their extraordinary friendship.
This heartwarming tale from rural Ukraine reminds us that even in the most challenging times, beautiful relationships can flourish, bringing joy not only to those directly involved but to everyone who witnesses their remarkable bond.
image credit:Instagram
