Satellite analysis indicates that Russia has deployed trained military dolphins at the Black Sea naval base to safeguard its fleet. The assessment, produced from satellite imagery reviewed by the US Naval Institute, notes that two dolphin pens were relocated to Sevastopol in February amid the broader invasion of Ukraine.
For years, Russian authorities have pursued a dolphin and sea lion training program within facilities at the Sevastopol port. The initiative traces back to the 1960s, with the intent to develop creatures that could assist military operations in the water around Crimea, an area Russia has annexed from Ukraine.
Dolphins in these programs are taught to patrol open waters and to perform tasks relevant to military aims. They may mark targets, detect underwater threats such as mines, and signal signals related to targets of interest. Standard sonar gear is not configured to reveal the presence of these intelligent animals, making the program less visible in traditional military assessments.
Historically, the program emerged during the Cold War era and was connected to facilities at Sevastopol. A similar American counterpart existed in San Diego, California, where dolphins were trained for potential naval purposes as well.
Following the end of the Cold War, the Sevastopol Oceanarium assumed civilian roles, including programs focused on therapy and assistance for disabled children. After Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, the institution was redirected toward its initial military objectives, aligning with broader strategic aims at the naval base.
These developments illustrate how military training programs for marine mammals have persisted through political change, balancing research, maritime security, and humanitarian functions, as interpreted by satellite-based analyses and public records from defense observers.