Scientist, Ivan Rusev, Tuzla Estuaries National Nature park, Russia-Ukraine war, Russian invasion, dolphins, Turkish Marine Research Foundation

Dolphins have been washing up on the Black Sea’s coastline with war-related injuries. Photo: Slavophile / Flickr

Dolphins caught in the crossfire as Putin continues Ukraine invasion

Dolphins have been washing up on the coastline of the Black Sea, their deaths have been attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Scientist, Ivan Rusev, Tuzla Estuaries National Nature park, Russia-Ukraine war, Russian invasion, dolphins, Turkish Marine Research Foundation

Dolphins have been washing up on the Black Sea’s coastline with war-related injuries. Photo: Slavophile / Flickr

The ongoing invasion of Ukraine has had severe consequences on marine life, specifically dolphins. Scientists have reported the deaths of a significant number of dolphins as they wash up on the coastline of the Black Sea with war-related injuries. 

Dolphins facing fatal injuries

The ecological impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been documented by Ivan Rusev, research director at Ukraine’s Tuzla Estuaries National Nature Park. 

Rusev took to his Facebook page, to shed light on the fatal injuries suffered by dolphins. Burns and internal injuries stemming from Bombs and landmines have been observed and reported. 

The war is having an impact on biodiversity

The Turkish Marine Research Foundation also raised concerns about the immense death toll of dolphins. The foundation stated that the invasion is having a dire impact on marine life 

The negative impact that the war is having on biodiversity was highlighted by the foundation during a press release. The severe damage to red algae has a multitude of consequences with it not only being a feeding ground for fish but also a habitat for marine life. 

The state of the ecosystem and dolphins before the war

Around 100 scientists from a Conservation Group for the Black Sea Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Sea determined through the process of surveys the number of dolphins within these areas. 

The number of dolphins residing within the Black Sea was reported at over 253,000. With new surveys being difficult to conduct during the war it is unknown how many dolphins remain, reports Business Insider.

‘VICTORY WILL BE OURS’: ZELENSKY’

President Volodymyr Zelensky vows that Ukraine will prevail over Russian forces in a video marking 100 days since Moscow invaded its neighbour.

“Victory will be ours,”

A defiant Zelensky says in a video together with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and presidential advisor Mykhaylo Podolyak at the spot in Kyiv where they addressed the nation at the start of the war and promised to stay to lead the resistance.

The Ukrainian leader says Russia now controls about one-fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula and parts of the Donbas which were seized in 2014. Read the full story here.