Dolphins dying en masse in the Black Sea: russian fleet is to blame
Animals are found on the coasts of Ukraine, russia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Ukrainian ecologist explains the reasons.
The reason for the increased mortality of animals can be the presence of the russian fleet in the Black Sea. Ecologist Ivan Rusiev says:
"Dolphins are dying because of the war. Disoriented, they fall into fishing nets near Bulgaria and Turkey and die. Ruscist submarines use sonars, which affects the navigation system of these animals.
In addition, they can not find food in this state and die of hunger. Mines and bomb blasts also kill mammals.
According to our estimates, more than 2,000 mammals have died so far. And this threat will end only after the ruscists stop using sonar.
To restore dolphin populations after the victory, we'll need to create large marine national nature parks and reserves where dolphins can live and reproduce safely."
Earlier, Rubryka reported that the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova stated that because of the military actions of the russian federation against Ukraine, dolphins were dying en masse in the Black Sea.
She noted that the invaders 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, concerning the proper treatment of the environment during hostilities.
The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner also asked the UN Commission to investigate human rights violations during russia's military invasion of Ukraine to consider these facts of russia's war crimes in Ukraine.
Land mines pose threat to wildlife in Chornobyl exclusion zone - ecology ministry
Azovstal bombing could kill flora and fauna of Sea of Azov
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion, more than 230 crimes against Ukraine's environment have been recorded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Ecology. russian troops have targeted and shelled chemical and metallurgical plants, oil depots, and hazardous waste warehouses, damaging or destroying many of these objects.
Earlier reports showed that russian shelling of the Azovstal metallurgical plant could lead to the complete extinction of the Sea of Azov and further pollution of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
russian troops are destroying the unique Kinburn Spit Reserve in southern Ukraine, where fires have been raging for more than a week, Human Rights Commissioner Liudmyla Denisova said. There are also people on the territory of the spit who need help.
Nuclear power plants have also been in the zone of active hostilities. After the occupation of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, the radiation levels increased due to the russian invaders digging in the Red Forest, part of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Enerhodar is still temporarily occupied. Please read our article Chornobyl: what's happening at the nuclear power plant after 36 days of occupation ended.
russian army's actions pose a real threat to the environment in Ukraine's territory and worldwide.
