Mysterious Russian ‘spy whale’ may have fled military training, marine expert says

Beluga spotted off the coast of Norway has become an international sensation

The whale, known as Hvaldimir, disappeared from Russian waters in April and is believed to have escaped his military training

A mysterious Russian "spy whale" that disappeared from Russian waters in April may have fled his military training, a marine expert has said.

The beluga whale, known as Hvaldimir, was spotted off the coast of Norway in April and has since become an international sensation. The whale is believed to have been trained by the Russian navy for military purposes.

Hvaldimir's disappearance and subsequent appearance in Norway have raised concerns that the whale may have been used for espionage. However, marine expert Audun Rikardsen believes that the whale may have simply escaped from his training.

"It is possible that Hvaldimir escaped from his training facility and is now trying to find his way back to the wild," Rikardsen said. "Belugas are very intelligent animals and are known to be able to travel long distances."

Rikardsen said that it is also possible that Hvaldimir was released by his handlers. "It is possible that the Russian navy decided to release Hvaldimir because he was no longer needed for training. Or, it is possible that Hvaldimir was released because he was becoming too friendly with humans."

Whatever the reason for Hvaldimir's disappearance, the whale's story has captured the imagination of people around the world. The whale has become a symbol of hope and freedom, and his story is a reminder that even the most unlikely creatures can escape from captivity.