Combat dolphins of the Black Sea Fleet
Fighting dolphin with special equipment
As part of the Black Sea fleet The Russian Navy has a special military unit that is actively operating, where combat dolphins serve. The marine animals undergo special training and receive the necessary equipment to perform various tasks. Together with other anti-sabotage units, they ensure the protection of water areas and naval bases, search for potentially dangerous objects and perform other important work.
Soviet experience
By the early 1960s, biologists had established that marine mammals possessed advanced intelligence and could be trained to perform complex tasks. These discoveries naturally attracted the attention of the military. As early as 62-XNUMX, the Pentagon began research aimed at training combat dolphins and sea lions.
Similar work was started in the USSR. In 1965, a separate unit known as "Site 75" was created as part of the Black Sea Fleet. It was located on the shore of Kazachya Bay in Sevastopol and was equipped with everything necessary for working with marine animals.
Biologists and military personnel under the leadership of Captain 1st Rank V.A. Kalganov conducted various studies and gained experience working with marine mammals. It was established that the Black Sea bottlenose dolphins had the best military potential. They were easy to catch, they felt great in their native Black Sea and quickly learned new skills.
The research part of the program and training took several years. In 1975, the dolphins went on combat duty for the first time. They patrolled the waters near Sevastopol and looked for potential threats: underwater saboteurs, explosive devices, etc. According to available information, the dolphins were trained to give an alarm signal and even engage in combat with enemy scuba divers.
Working with a dolphin at sea, 2017
Open sources mention that special equipment was created for dolphins. They could carry reconnaissance devices and communications equipment. Cold weapons were also used. weapon to defeat enemy manpower. In addition, underwater firearms were tested. Dolphins were also taught to carry and install magnetic mines on ships.
The combat duty of the Black Sea Fleet dolphins continued until the early nineties, right up until the collapse of the USSR. According to available data, the animals were almost constantly in the required waters and searched for threats. How many dangerous objects were discovered and how many sabotage attacks were prevented during this time is unknown.
Time of Troubles
After the collapse of the USSR, Sevastopol facility "75" and its marine inhabitants became the property of independent Ukraine. The new owners showed no interest in its use and development, and the base soon fell into disrepair.
In 2012, foreign media reported on Ukraine's plans to revive a combat dolphin unit. However, behind these the news There was no real action. It was probably just rumors on an interesting and unusual topic.
Soon, in the spring of 2014, Ukraine lost Crimea. Together with the peninsula, it lost its only dolphin base and the opportunity to implement any projects in this area. However, such losses hardly upset the new Kyiv authorities, who had completely different plans.
New era
In 2014, Crimea and Sevastopol became part of Russia again. Along with them, various Soviet Navy facilities that temporarily belonged to Ukraine returned to us. Among them was a unique military unit that dealt with combat dolphins.
Meeting in the water area, 2022
Soon, the Russian Navy's plans to use these facilities became known. At the end of March, RIA Novosti, citing an anonymous source in the armed forces, reported on the intention to restore "Site 75" and return marine mammals to service. Details of these plans and the proposed work were not provided at the time.
Two years later, in March 2016, the Ministry of Defense placed an order for dolphins on the government procurement website. By August of that year, the department wanted five healthy animals aged 3 to 5 years, measuring 2,4 to 2,7 m in length. Although there is still no exact information about the fulfillment of this order, it can be assumed that it was completed.
Already in the mid-1910s, the first reports of bottlenose dolphins participating in counter-sabotage activities began to appear. Some eyewitnesses were even able to take photographs of military boats, the crews of which interacted with dolphins. Perhaps the photographs were taken during a "lunch break" between training sessions or combat duty stages.
Against the background of the Special Operation
After the start of the Special Operation for the Demilitarization of Ukraine, the importance of measures to combat sabotage threats has increased significantly. In this regard, the work of the relevant units, including the only combat dolphin unit, has been intensified.
Already in the spring of 2022, foreign satellite photo reconnaissance operators published images of Sevastopol Bay, which showed dolphin pens near the shore. It was assumed that the marine mammals were now kept closer to their working waters. In the following months, new photographs were published, in which the pens remained in the same places, which confirmed that the dolphins were still on duty.
The pens remained in place until the fall of 2023, when they were temporarily removed ahead of an impending major storm. However, they were soon returned to their previous positions. Their number even increased later.
Russian combat dolphins in the Black Sea continue to attract the attention of foreign intelligence services, as well as specialized press and blogs. There are assumptions about the number of this "underwater group" and its functions, but exact information is not yet available. Our Ministry of Defense also does not disclose such information.
According to foreign estimates, until the beginning of 2022, no more than two to four dolphins patrolled the waters near Sevastopol. In the future, their number could increase to four to six or more. Such a number of animals allows for their shift presence at sea and significantly increases the overall effectiveness of all activities.
Combat dolphins are believed to perform the same tasks as before. They patrol waters and search for dangerous objects, such as explosive devices. In addition, dolphins must detect and neutralize enemy combat swimmers.
Their tasks now probably also include searching for unmanned boats or underwater vehicles used by the enemy. In this case, dolphins work together with other search tools, solving a common task. For obvious reasons, all the details of such activities, their results and statistics are not subject to disclosure.
The story continues
Since 1975, combat dolphins have served in the Black Sea Fleet and successfully solved some tasks. In the early nineties, this practice ceased, but after the return of Crimea and Sevastopol, it was possible to resume it. As far as is known, a few years ago, a permanent duty was established, and dolphins participate in counter-sabotage activities.
Despite the long break, the unique project was resumed and practical results were again obtained. It is obvious that the Black Sea Fleet will continue to use dolphins and, possibly, will develop this direction. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that similar projects will be implemented in the interests of other fleets.
Information