Russian ‘Spy Whale’ Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norwegian Waters
A beluga whale named “Hvaldimir”, suspected of being trained by Russia as a spy was found dead near the Norwegian coast.
The name Hvaldimir is a combination of the Norwegian term for whale, “hval,” and the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
No major external injuries were visible on the whale’s body, and the reason for the death is unknown.
The Norwegian veterinary institute plans to perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Hvaldimir was first spotted in April 2019 near the island of Ingoya in northern Norway, some 300 kilometers (190 miles) from Russia’s maritime border.
The whale used to carry a harness with a tiny camera mount labeled “Equipment St Petersburg” in English.
The beluga, estimated to be 15 years old, was considered youthful, given that belugas can live up to 60 years.