100,000 Dolphins Killed in the Black Sea – War Is the Main Cause.

War in Ukraine: Environmental Toll on the Black Sea

According to Espreso.tv: The environmental fallout from the war in Ukraine is becoming increasingly devastating, especially in the Black Sea. Explosions from naval mines, attacks on military vessels, and widespread water pollution have led to the deaths of roughly 100,000 cetaceans. This crisis has worsened dramatically since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

How the Conflict Is Harming Marine Life

Between June 2022 and June 2023, 74 dead dolphins were recorded in the Tuzly Estuaries National Nature Park. The dolphin species most affected by the war include:

• the Azov dolphin
• the common dolphin
• the bottlenose dolphin

Key areas where rising cetacean deaths have been observed include the Kinburn Spit, Dzharylhach, and Tendra.

Naval mine explosions have also caused human casualties. In early July 2023, a sea mine detonated on a beach in Hrybivka, killing a 31-year-old man from Kyiv. Additionally, on June 26, 2023, a 26-year-old woman died in Odesa from shrapnel wounds caused by an enemy drone.

Environmental damage is being compounded by the use of sonar, which harms dolphins. According to Ivan Rusev,

“the problem is made worse because a dolphin affected by sonar gradually loses its immune system and becomes infected with the morbillivirus.”

It is also important to note that attacks on vessels are not limited to empty tankers. Yevhen Dykyi points out:

“They are not only attacking empty tankers, as can be seen from how well some of them burn.”

During a special operation called 'MoLoChKa,' which ran from July 6 to July 18, 2023, 172 vessels from Russia's shadow fleet were struck. These events likely further impacted the Black Sea ecosystem. These incidents show that the war in Ukraine is causing severe harm not only to people but also to nature, leading to alarming shifts in marine ecosystems.

Scientists and environmentalists remain deeply concerned about the war's environmental consequences in Ukraine. The destruction of marine species could disrupt the balance of Black Sea ecosystems. Losing animals like dolphins not only reduces biodiversity but also affects the overall health of the marine environment. For these reasons, restoring the region's natural habitat after the conflict ends is critically important.