Let the fur fly! Russia is battling the West in the battle for the world's best cat

Simmering tensions between the East and the West are no new thing, whether it’s the Cold War or even shady rumours of influencing major election results.

But now a new rivalry looks certain to lock Russia and the West in loggerheads like never before – but it’s a whole world away from the Kremlin.

Instead, two cats are both competing to become the world’s best – and it’s very much a case of Russia facing off against the West.

Representing Russia is Rumfold Such a Flirt Shu-Ko, nicknamed Sashock – the current world champion and number one in the international league tale.

But his title is being hotly contested by Mowgleaves Stonehenge, more commonly known as Stone, an Anglo-American shorthair hoping to steal Rumfold’s title in his first year of competition.

And in an further twist of fate, Rumfold is the father of Mowgleaves – adding some firm family rivalry into the mix.

The championship will be decided after a season of competitive shows draw to a close – but the pair recently competed at LondonCats, a leading exhibition in the International Cat Association champions league.

Stone is owned by competition organiser Steven Meserve – who says that the appeal of cat shows is exploding across the globe.

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He told The Mirror: ‘Cats have serious momentum right now, what with all the virals and YouTube videos.

‘Then you have cat cafes, the film A Street Cat Named Bob, and even an annual all-night cat festival [Catnip] in London with DJs.

‘The plan is to get LondonCats to an expo level like the London Pet Show, but just for cats. It is the right time to do it.’

Steven also also shown serious commitment to the cause too – having forked out more than £25,000 ferrying Stone across the continent.

Stone is currently eighth in the world rankings – but the pair’s rivalry will ultimately be settled when the season draws to a close on April 31.

Until then, let the fur fly.