Russian Spy Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norwegian Waters

A white whale suspected of spying for Russia found in Norwegian waters five years ago has been found dead, according to the nonprofit group monitoring the whale.

According to the Norwegian News Agency, a father and son fishing in southern Norway over the weekend saw the body of “Hvaldimir” floating in the sea. “Hvaldimir is the Norwegian word for spy whale and the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Hvaldimir is more than just a white spy whale; it is a beacon of hope, a symbol of connection and a reminder of the deep connection between humans and the natural world,” the NGO Ocean Heart said on social media.

When Hvaldimir was first spotted near the island of Ingoya in northern Norway in 2019, he was wearing a belt that appeared to contain a small camera. He was about 300 kilometres (190 miles) from the Russian maritime border. The belt had a stamp that read “St. Petersburg Equipment” in English.

The spy whale was very interested in humans and responded to hand gestures, leading the Norwegian National Intelligence Service to believe it was held in Russia as part of a research program before entering Norwegian waters.

Moscow has never responded to the allegations about Khvarkimir.

“It’s absolutely horrific,” Sebastian Strand, a marine biologist working with Marine Mind, told NRK. “He was apparently in good shape on Friday, so we can only see what happens here,” he added.

The animal showed no major trauma, and the cause of death was not yet known, he added.