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. Conservationists 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, 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.

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.

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. 

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.