Russia deploys ‘dolphin fleet’ to northern Crimea to fend off Ukraine’s naval divers

A decades-old strategy has resurfaced in Russia's war against Ukraine as trained dolphins have natural sonar abilities which can detect underwater human activity.

Representative Image | Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi: The Russian Navy’s use of trained dolphins to safeguard critical bases has been a longstanding but little-known strategy.

New evidence suggests that deployment of these marine mammals has been extended to a new base in northern Crimea, to defend against Ukrainian forces.

While trained dolphins have been stationed at the harbour entrance to Sevastopol in Crimea since the beginning of the war in 2022, Naval News recently reported about new dolphin pens closer to the frontlines at the Southern Naval Base in Novoozerne.

This happened in September and coincided with increased activity by Ukrainian special forces in the northern Black Sea where it has targeted the Russian army.

These dolphins are very effective in detecting military divers due to their unmatched swimming capabilities and natural sonar abilities.

In addition to their natural abilities, these dolphins are part of a broader strategy that includes advanced naval operations and international cooperation to enhance maritime security.

They can spot intruders and mark them for human intervention or even deliver a lethal strike. Their presence is particularly crucial for safeguarding ships against divers with limpet mines or those who are on reconnaissance missions.

Originally a Soviet-era submarine base, Novoozerne witnessed a dramatic siege during Russia’s 2014 Crimea takeover, with warships capturing it after a three-week standoff during which they sank block ships.

The base, although somewhat neglected, stands in stark contrast to the bustling Russian Black Sea Fleet’s major base in Sevastopol to the south. It has regained stature following the 2022 Ukraine invasion, especially after Ukrainian special forces raided the northern Crimea coast.

Russia is not the only country that has trained sea mammals for combat. The US Navy has also trained dolphins, sea lions, and killer whales since 1959, and still deploys dolphins for detecting underwater mines. Dolphins and sea lions are also employed by the US to retrieve objects and apprehend “unauthorised swimmers”.

In 2019, a beluga whale that turned up in Norway – harassing fishermen and pulling straps and ropes out of their boats – was suspected to have been trained by Russia. The whale, named Hvaldimir by the Norwegians, was recently sighted in Sweden.