About a thousand dolphins died in the Black Sea — Ministry of Environment

Experts found the animals on the coasts of Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Türkiye. The exact number of dead dolphins is unknown, as the bodies may drift in the sea, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine said.

The dolphins could have been killed by Russian ships that use acoustic sonar signals. This, according to scientists, can impair the dolphins' orientation.

"About 1000 dolphins died in the Black Sea. This is not only the coast of Ukraine but also Bulgaria and Türkiye. The number of such dead dolphins drifting in the sea is not known for certain," the statement said. 

Ruslan Strelets, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, said that the destruction of the Kakhovka dam was one of the biggest blows to the Ukrainian environment. According to him, about 15 billion square metres of fresh water got into the Black Sea and the Dnipro Delta. This has disrupted their ecosystems and led to significant desalination of the sea.

Sea mines littering the coastal waters also pose a threat, creating new deadly obstacles. 

"Missile launches in the Black Sea create a loud noise that is deadly for dolphins. Explosions and fuel leakage, missile debris have polluted the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve, one of the oldest reserves in Ukraine," the statement said.

Photo: Laura Boushnak for The New York Times