Images indicate Russia using dolphins to defend Black Sea base — analysts
Satellite photos show dolphin pens placed at entrance to Sevastopol harbor; marine mammals can be trained for anti-diver operations
Satellite images indicate Russia is using trained dolphins to help defend its naval base in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, according to analysts.
US Naval Institute News reported on the discovery, citing an analysis of images obtained from Maxar Technologies, which show that dolphin pens were placed at the entrance to Sevastopol harbor in February, as Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
Analyst H I Sutton said the dolphins have likely been trained to discover any enemy divers who may try to enter the strategic Black Sea port for sabotage operations.
Marine mammals have long been used by the US and Russia for various underwater tasks, and dolphins can be useful assets, both due to their good communication skills and their echolocation capabilities, which allow them to accurately detect objects underwater, similar to how sonar works.
If a dolphin detects divers attempting to enter the harbor, it would likely alert its handlers or attempt to disrupt the activity.
Maxar Technologies said it agreed with USNI’s analysis of its images.
***BREAKING***
Evidence #Russian Navy trained dolphins deployed to entrance of Sevastopol Harbor during #Ukraine war. You heard it here first.
First found in low-resolution Sentinel 2 imagery
Thx for help from @COUPSURE and unnamed othershttps://t.co/Fhtek0CVaA
— H I Sutton (@CovertShores) April 27, 2022
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