Russian Navy’s Trained Dolphins Moved Closer To Fighting In Ukraine War – Naval News

The Russian Navy employs trained dolphins to defend critical bases from special forces divers. These Marine mammals are already stationed in the harbor entrance to Sevastopol in Crimea, a major target for Ukraine. New evidence suggests that Russian Navy has deployed dolphins to another base in northern Crimea.

The deployment is likely to defend against Ukrainian special forces who present a real threat in the area.

Dolphin pens have appeared at the Southern Naval Base at Novoozerne in August. Despite its name, the base is 90km (56 miles) northwest of Sevastopol, much closer to the front lines. The pens were set up in September this year. This corresponds to a time when Ukrainian special forces were increasing their activity in the northern Black Sea. This included the seizure of gas platforms offshore and raids on military targets along the coast.

The location is to the west of the main berths, at the pier of an oyster farm. However the pens do not match oyster farming, instead being the same size and form as those used by the Russian Navy for dolphins. And this site is separate from the civilian Stepnaya Gavan marine mammals show about 5 km (3 miles) away.

Dolphins In Naval Combat

Trained dolphins are considered effective against military divers. There is no human, however athletic or well trained, who can out-swim them. And their inbuilt sonar gives them an even greater advantage. 

The dolphins are likely deployed to defend the ships there from divers with limpet mines. Or divers engaged in reconnaissance. When they detect an intruder they can mark it for their human colleagues to investigate, or possibly even deliver a lethal strike. They may also be patrolling along the coast where Ukrainian special forces are conducting raids on coastal installations. 

Secretive Naval Base In Northern Crimea

The facility started life as a submarine base during Soviet times. The base was the scene of a siege when Russia seized Crimea in 2014. A superior force of Russian warships eventually captured the base after 3 weeks and sinking block ships in the bay to prevent escape. Now the base is under Russian control and it is Ukraine who presents the tangible threat.

Some what run down, it remains barely known. This in stark contrast to the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s major base in Sevastopol further south. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine it could be playing a more tangible role again however. In the early months of the invasion some Russian ships were forward deployed there. Activity reduced as the naval situation in the north west Black Sea turned against Russia. Now as Ukrainian special forces have started raids along the northern Crimea coast, it has become more relevant again.

Currently the base is being used by missile corvettes, landing craft and some support vessels including a submarine support ship. Some may take refuge there from the missile and drone threats in Sevastopol. Others may be deployed there to directly deal with the increased Ukrainian threat.