Satellite images taken on April 7 by Maxar Technologies show Russia is using trained dolphins to guard its naval base in the Black Sea. The Russian Navy deployed two of its military dolphins during its invasion of Ukraine with the pens at the entrance to Sevastopol harbour, sheltered just inside a sea wall. The dolphins were moved there when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the “special military operation” in late February and could be used for “counter-diver operations” with an eye on Ukrainian special forces who could attack the harbour in a sabotage operation, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
Several Russian naval warships are deployed at Sevastopol harbour – Russia’s most significant naval base in the Black Sea. Russia also maintains beluga whales and seals in the Arctic for its northern fleet. Animals in marine mammal programs, ranging from dolphins and beluga whales to sea lions and seals are trained to find enemy combat swimmers and detect bottom mines and moored mines.
