Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine is not just damaging its people and infrastructure, but also its natural habitat. In a Facebook post, Ukraine’s Ombudsman Ludmyla Denisova informed that environmentalists are sounding the alarm as “rashists” are trying to “de-nazify” Black Sea dolphins.
By shelling Ukraine from ships and submarines in the sea, Russia is constantly polluting the water, which is home to thousands of dolphins. Denisova underscores that many dead mammals have already surfaced.
“The use of military sonar is especially dangerous for the dolphins. As a result of the radiation of navigation devices, animals cease to receive echoes, which leads to their death,” she wrote, adding: “The entire flora and fauna of the Black and Azov Seas are in danger from the aggressive actions of rashists. The occupiers violated Article 35 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol No. 1) of June 8, 1977, regarding the proper treatment of the environment during hostilities.”
Denisova is now asking the UN Human Rights Council to investigate these facts as part of its scrutiny of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, treating them as war crimes and human rights violations.
About 5,600 species live in the Black Sea. They include the Black Sea harbor porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, and short-beaked common dolphin.
