Is the world already at war? The death of an animal suspected of espionage suggests that Russia is increasing hostile operations against the West.
Whale shot as global spy wars heat up
Is the world already at war? The death of an animal suspected of espionage suggests that Russia is increasing hostile operations against the West.
A whale trained by the Russian military. A bloody murder carried out by an unknown assassin. Sounds like the plot of a spy novel? In this case the story is true.
A little over a week ago, the body of a beluga whale was found floating in Risavika Bay in southern Norway. Two conservation groups believe it was shot.
The whale was already well-known to the locals, given the nickname Hvaldimir - combining the Norwegian word for whale (hval) with the Russian President Putin's first name (Vladimir).
Hvaldimir was first spotted off Norway's coast in 2019. He was wearing a harness with what appeared to be a GoPro camera mount. The charity Marine Mind believes that the whale had been trained in Russia for military purposes.
An autopsyThe surgical examination of a corpse to discover the cause of death, taken from the Greek word for 'eyewitness'. will take at least three weeks, and the conservation group that found the body has asked people to speculate on the cause of death.
Ever since the war in Ukraine, Russia has increased hostile activity against Europe and the USA. They have supported anti-Western leaders in Africa and sponsored cyber attacks on neighbouring countries.
And Russian money is believed to be behind several online figures criticising American foreign policy. According to some commentators, Russian leaders believe the Cold WarA period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed. never ended.
Stories about whales, cameras, and secret assassinations may sound silly. But behind these reports lies something far more serious. Perhaps it is better to prepare for a war that never comes than ignore a threat until it is too late.
Is the world already at war?
Yes! Russia is working to lessen Western influence, fund critical voices and sponsor cyber attacks against enemies.
No! Rival countries often spy on one another, but this is not a declaration of war.
Keywords
Autopsy - The surgical examination of a corpse to discover the cause of death, taken from the Greek word for 'eyewitness'.
Cold War - A period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.
Whale shot as global spy wars heat up
Glossary
Autopsy - The surgical examination of a corpse to discover the cause of death, taken from the Greek word for 'eyewitness'.
Cold War - A period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.