Russian ‘Spy Whale’ Was Actually an Aquatic Guard Turned ‘Hooligan’

Norwegian Media Breaks Story Open About the Truth Behind the ‘Beluga’

A beluga whale found wearing a harness with a camera mount raised fears that Russia was using marine mammals for espionage. Now, Norwegian media is reporting that the whale was actually part of a Russian military program to protect its Arctic bases from enemy divers.

The Whale Was Part of a Russian Military Program

The whale, nicknamed "Hvaldimir" by locals, was found in April 2019 off the coast of Norway. The harness it was wearing had a GoPro camera mount, leading to speculation that it was being used for spying. However, Norwegian media outlet NRK has now reported that the whale was actually part of a Russian military program to protect its Arctic bases from enemy divers.

According to NRK, the whale was trained by the Russian navy to swim up to divers and attach itself to them with its harness and GoPro camera mount. The camera would then record the divers' movements, allowing the Russian military to track their activities.

The Whale Escaped From Its Enclosure

NRK reports that the whale escaped from its enclosure at a Russian military base in Murmansk in 2018. It then swam to Norway, where it was found by local fishermen.

The Norwegian government has since returned the whale to Russia. The Russian military has not commented on the reports about the whale's role in its Arctic defense program.

Experts Say the Whale's Behavior Was Not Unusual

Experts say that the whale's behavior was not unusual for a beluga. Belugas are known to be curious and playful animals, and they often approach humans.

However, the fact that the whale was wearing a harness with a camera mount raised concerns that it was being used for spying. The reports from NRK have now shed light on the whale's true purpose.

Conclusion

The story of the "spy whale" is a reminder that even the most seemingly innocuous animals can be used for military purposes. It is also a reminder that the Arctic is a region of increasing strategic importance, and that Russia is taking steps to protect its interests in the region.