A mass die-off of dolphins has been recorded in Crimea, which remains under temporary Russian occupation. This tragic event has been attributed to a combination of factors linked to Russian military activity, including oil spills, noise from military exercises, and illegal fishing nets. The Centre for National Resistance has reported on this ecological disaster, warning of its devastating effects on the Black Sea ecosystem.
Once symbolic of the health of the Black Sea, dolphins have now become a grim symbol of the environmental toll of the occupation. According to experts, oil spills from Russian military vessels, the disturbing noise from ongoing military exercises, and illegal traps set by occupying forces have caused disorientation among the marine mammals. This confusion leads to death and causes the dolphins to wash ashore in increasing numbers.
In addition to the dolphin deaths, there are growing concerns about the broader ecological impact of the occupation. The destruction of wildlife, including marine creatures, further highlights the extensive damage being done to the region’s delicate environment. This ecological crisis comes on the heels of another disaster in the Donetsk region, where rivers are contaminated with hazardous substances such as nitrite nitrogen, phosphates, mercury, and oil products, rendering the water toxic and dangerous to both humans and wildlife.
