A whale trained by the Russian military. A camera mount labelled "Equipment St Petersburg". A bloody murder carried out by an unknown assassin, causing an international outcry. Sounds like the plot of a spy novel? But 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. According to witnesses, the animal's carcass had multiple bullet wounds. Two conservation groups believe there is "compelling evidence that the whale was killed by gunshot wounds".¹

Beluga whales are common in northern Norway, but it is rare to find them further south. However, this 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.²

The charity estimated that Hvladimir was about 15 years old. Beluga whales can live until 60 or 70, making his death suspicious. But the autopsy will take at least three weeks, and the conservation group that found the body has asked people to "refrainA refrain is regularly occurring or repeated phrase from a song. from speculation".³

That has not stopped some in the press from assuming the worst. One British newspaper ran the headline "Mad Vlad has spy whale whacked". Others take the story as proof that Russia still views the West as its enemy.

Ever since the war in Ukraine, Russia has increased hostile activity against Europe and the USA. For example, they have supported anti-Western leaders in Africa and also sponsored cyber attacks on neighbouring countries.⁴

Last week, it was shown that Russian money was behind several prominent podcasts and online figures who criticise American foreign policy.⁵ No wonder the respected journalist Gideon Rachman has argued that the Ukraine invasion marked the start of a second 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..⁶

But others argue that this response is paranoid. Countries frequently spy on their rivals, without any intention of going to war. And nobody has shown that Russia trained or killed Hvaldimir the whale.

Besides, Western countries are currently supporting Ukraine in its own war against Russia. Some, like the Republican candidate for Vice President, JD Vance, believe that this is against "America's best interest".⁷ If there is a Cold War taking place, the West also carries some blame.

But, whether Europe or America think they are at war is only half the story. According to some commentators, Russian leaders believe the last Cold War never ended. President Putin has even called the "Western elite" his enemy.

Stories about whales, cameras, and secret assassinations may sound silly. But behind these reports lies something far more serious: 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 its enemies. These are similar tactics to those employed during the Cold War.

No: Rival countries often spy on one another, but this is not a declaration of war. Besides, many in the US think that conflict with Russia is against their best interests.

Or... Stories about whales may seem silly, but this is a serious issue. Whatever people's views on war in Europe or the US, Putin believes he is fighting against Western power.