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‘Detrimental, but not critical’: Scientist weighs in on Caspian seal die-offs

It was stressed that until that time any statements regarding the causes of death and the exact number of the dead mammals would be incorrect

MOSCOW, December 5. /TASS/. The mass deaths of endangered seals that were uncovered on Russia’s Caspian coast in Dagestan will harm the population, but not critically, the Ministry of Natural Resources said on Monday, noting that the exact number of fatalities would be unveiled in 10 days.

Scientists from the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Caspian Institute of Biological Resources and the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography are investigating the mass deaths of seals in the Caspian Sea.

"No doubt, it's a detriment to the population. But this is not a critical situation considering that according to recent studies, the total population is 300,000. That means this isn’t a large percentage of the population, such things do happen. But it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t tackle this issue," Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Magomed Rasul Magomedov said.

Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov said the exact number of the dead seals would be known by December 15. "Specialists will declare the precise number of dead mammals on the entire coast on December 15. Now the entire territory is being examined and we are also trying to obtain information if there are any dead animals in the depths of the sea. These will be confirmed figures, not the preliminary numbers that have been stated," he specified.

The minister stressed that until that time any statements regarding the causes of death and the exact number of the dead mammals would be incorrect.

On Sunday, the regional Ministry of Natural Resources said some 2,500 endangered seals were found dead on Russia’s Caspian coast in Dagestan. The mass die-offs could have been caused by hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen) due to natural gas emissions, the Russian environmental watchdog’s chief, Svetlana Radionova, said.

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Finnish government requests EU sanctions exemption for Russian owners of sports arena

Finland's Foreign Ministry will need to obtain unanimous approval from EU countries

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Borrell calls on EU to play ‘military role’

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Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

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Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

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Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

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US administration always seeks to weaken Russia — Lavrov

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Russia to hold Astana-format summit in 2025 — Russian diplomat

Alexander Lavrentyev noted that despite the fact that the exact date of the summit has not yet been agreed upon, meetings in the Astana format are held regularly at other levels

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"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

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At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

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Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

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Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

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Russia open for contacts with Trumps’ team on Syria — Russian diplomat

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Russian president himself deals with issue of Ukraine, there is no special envoy — Kremlin

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West criticizes Russia's growing ties with Caspian region countries — presidential aide

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Trump plans to appoint special envoy on Ukraine to hold peace talks with Russia — TV

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Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

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Russian researchers discover previously unknown ancient tomb near Great Pyramid in Egypt

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Russia, US have many annoyances, it is hard to pick worst one — Kremlin spokesman

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US missile defense base in Poland to defend US, Europe alike — Polish foreign minister

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Russian troops liberate Rovnopol community in Donbass region over past day

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Russian diplomat hails Odessa woman as defender of truth after flag protest

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Kiev may offer Trump resources, partial rotation of US troops in Europe — official

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US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

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Trump 'demonstrates affinity' for Russian President Vladimir Putin — newspaper

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Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

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Kiev's Western allies begin to acknowledge need for territorial concessions — report

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Russia says its FPV drones disrupted Ukrainian troops rotation in Sumy Region

The ministry provided live-recording footage showing direct hits on Ukrainian military vehicles

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

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Countries will line up for Russian gas when US stops exporting LNG — Serbian president

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Russia to collaborate with Arab nations for Middle East de-escalation — diplomat

"A call was made to the international community to contribute to the achievement of this goal," Maria Zakharova added

There is chance to stop war in Middle East under Trump — Russian diplomat

"It is too early to talk about this because we should wait at least for the president’s inauguration," Alexander Lavrentyev noted

Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

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Trump’s victory to make Seoul reconsider shipping arms to Ukraine — news agency

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Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

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