Russia Deploys Military Dolphins At Black Sea Naval Base. Here Is Why

According to the news of USNI News, satellite images show that these pens were brought here in February at the time of the attack on Ukraine.

A Dolphin in a pool (Source: Getty)

New Delhi: Amid the war between Russia and Ukraine, USNI News (United States Naval Institute) has claimed that Russia has deployed trained dolphins to protect its naval base in the Black Sea during the Ukraine war. The Russian Navy has placed two dolphin pens at the entry gate of the port of Sevastopol.

The USNI investigated satellite symbolism of the maritime base at Sevastopol harbor, and reasoned that two dolphin pens were moved to the base in February toward the beginning of Moscow's attack of Ukraine, The Guardian revealed.

According to the news of USNI News, satellite images show that these pens were brought here in February at the time of the attack on Ukraine. Sevastopol is the main naval base of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea. Possibly these dolphins have been kept here for underwater retaliation. The US and Russia train sea creatures for such operations. This could prevent Ukrainian Special Operations Forces from infiltrating the port to damage Russian warships.

World Navy Marine mammal program overview -> https://t.co/mhxJ3sf7cv pic.twitter.com/dNzVYviFeB

— H I Sutton (@CovertShores) April 27, 2022

Russia has a background marked by preparing dolphins for military purposes, utilising the oceanic vertebrate to recover protests or dissuade foe jumpers.

The Sevastopol maritime base is essential for the Russian military, as it sits on the southern tip of Crimea which Moscow seized in 2014.

According to satellite images, several high-value ships of the Russian Navy are parked inside the port which are out of range of Ukrainian missiles. But they can be harmed through infiltration. During the Cold War, the Soviet Navy developed several programs related to marine life, including dolphin training in the Black Sea. That unit was based in Kazachya Bukta, near Sevastopol, where it is today.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the unit became part of the Ukrainian Army. However, even after several attempts to keep it running, it faced many difficulties and eventually, it stopped. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, after which the unit came under the control of the Russian Navy. After this, the program of marine life was expanded and it started again. In the Arctic North, Russia's Northern Fleet uses other marine organisms, such as beluga whales and seals.