- nv.ua reports: Ecologist Ivan Rusev reported that May 2026 was the deadliest month for dolphins in the Black Sea since Russia's full-scale war began in 2022, according to The New Voice of Ukraine.
- phys.org reports: The devastating increase in dolphin mortality is attributed to a "horrific synergy of dolphin killing," including chemical poisoning and acoustic trauma from explosions and radar systems.
- mongabay.com reports: Mutilated cetaceans are being discovered along the coastline, indicating a severe environmental disaster, a concern consistently raised by Rusev and covered by outlets like Phys.org.
- This recent surge highlights the continuous environmental impact of the ongoing conflict, with Mongabay previously reporting on Rusev's warnings about the war's effects on marine life since its onset.
- Acoustic trauma from military sonars disorients dolphins, causing them to lose navigation and strand, while chemical pollution from oil spills leads to severe internal damage such as "toxic fuel oil hepatitis," as detailed by Rusev.
- The widespread nature of these deaths is evident from reports of strandings and mutilated cetaceans found across the Black Sea coastline, from Odesa Oblast to Novorossiysk and occupied Crimea.
Black Sea Dolphin Deaths Soar
Ecologist Ivan Rusev reported that May 2026 was the deadliest month for Black Sea dolphins since Russia's 2022 invasion, with a "horrific synergy" of chemical poisoning and acoustic trauma from military activity decimating populations. This environmental catastrophe, marked by mutilated cetaceans and widespread strandings, is driven by explosions, radar, and toxic fuel oil, highlighting the war's devastating and continuous impact on marine life.
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