The Altai, a tugboat attached to the Russian navy’s Northern
Fleet, recently transported researchers from the Russian Geographical Society
into waters near Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Sea. The Altai sent out a
smaller inflatable landing craft to bring the researchers to the shores of
Wilczek Island. However, before the boat could reach the beach, it was
attacked-- and sunk-- by a female
walrus. A Russian Geographical Society press release claimed that the
walrus was likely “fearing for her cubs,” though the cow may just not be a fan
of the Russian navy.
The
press release noted: “The boat sank,
but a tragedy was avoided thanks to the prompt action by the squad leader. All
landing participants safely reached the shore.” The Russian navy confirmed the
“attack,” though it predictably omitted the part about the boat sinking. The
Red (faced) Navy’s Northern Fleet wrote: “During
the landing at Cape Heller, a group of researchers had to flee from a female
walrus who attacked an expedition boat when protecting her cub. Serious
troubles were avoided thanks to the clear and well-coordinated actions of the
Northern Fleet servicemen, who were able to take the boat away from the animals
without harming them.”
I’m surprised the release didn’t
read: “Dastardly surprise attack by U.S.-trained imperialist walrus was
repulsed by valiant efforts of glorious Russian navy!”
In related news, two
Russian destroyers and a submarine sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea recently
when remoras aggressively attached themselves to the ship’s hulls.
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