Russia’s war keeps killing dolphins: Five more dead dolphins wash up in Odesa Oblast park – 63 since late May

Researchers at Ukraine's Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park have recorded 63 dead harbor porpoises washed ashore since late May, warning that the true death toll in the Black Sea could reach into the thousands.

Russia's full-scale invasion has had a significant environmental impact on the Black Sea, with scientists and conservationists documenting damage from pollution, naval activity, underwater explosions, and attacks on coastal infrastructure.

The latest five dolphin carcasses were discovered along the Odesa Oblast coastline over the past several days, according to Ivan Rusev, head of the park's research department.

Scientists warn true toll is far higher

Rusev said the documented cases represent only a fraction of the animals believed to have died. He estimated that thousands of dolphins and porpoises may have perished, with carcasses also washing up on the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.

He said accurately documenting the deaths is difficult because bodies are often swept back into the sea or carried away by jackals before researchers can record them.

The park has documented the strandings since the first reported case on 18 May. By 30 June, researchers had recorded 58 dead animals, with five more found in recent days.

War-related impacts under investigation

Rusev has previously attributed the deaths to a combination of war-related factors, including oil pollution and underwater noise generated by explosions, sonar, and missile strikes, which he says can disorient marine mammals and affect their survival. The precise causes of the deaths have not been conclusively established.

Freshly recovered carcasses are preserved for necropsies and laboratory analysis, while all documented cases are recorded for ongoing research.

Evidence collected for ecocide investigation

Rusev told Suspilne that the national park is working with the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office in Odesa Oblast, which is investigating the deaths as part of a criminal case into alleged ecocide.

He said researchers regularly submit reports on the number of dead dolphins and preserve suitable specimens for forensic examination, adding that the findings are intended to support scientific research and future legal proceedings.