23-6-2023 (LONDON) British military intelligence officials have expressed alarm over Russia’s alleged training of combat dolphins in the annexed Crimean peninsula as a means to counter Ukrainian forces. In its recent update on the ongoing conflict, UK Defence Intelligence reported that the Russian Navy has made significant investments in bolstering security at the main base of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol over the past year.
The report stated, “This includes the installation of multiple layers of nets and booms across the entrance of the harbour. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable increase in the presence of trained marine mammals, further enhancing these defenses. Imagery analysis indicates a significant expansion of floating mammal pens in the harbour, believed to be housing bottle-nosed dolphins.”
The purpose of these dolphins, according to the report, is most likely to counter enemy divers. The Russian Navy has a history of utilizing Beluga whales and seals for various missions in Arctic waters, as highlighted in the intelligence update.
In 2019, a harness-wearing Beluga whale made headlines when it appeared off the coast of Norway, sparking speculation that it was being employed for surveillance purposes. Last month, the same whale resurfaced near the Swedish coast. The Norwegians nicknamed it “Hvaldimir,” a play on words combining the Norwegian word for whale (“hval”) and an allusion to its alleged connection to Russia.
The harness found on Hvaldimir was equipped with a mount suitable for carrying an action camera, and the plastic clasps bore the words “Equipment St. Petersburg.” Additionally, in 2016, Russia’s defence ministry expressed interest in acquiring five dolphins as part of efforts to revive the Soviet-era practice of employing these highly intelligent cetaceans for military tasks.
During the Cold War, both the Soviet Union and the United States utilized dolphins in their military operations. The dolphins were trained to detect submarines, mines, and identify suspicious objects or individuals near harbours and ships. According to a retired Soviet colonel, Moscow even trained dolphins to plant explosive devices on enemy vessels, as they possessed the ability to detect abandoned torpedoes and sunken ships in the Black Sea.
In a similar vein, the US Navy deployed sea lions to Bahrain in 2003 to support Operation Enduring Freedom following the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington.
