( CNN ) -- Just when you thought this divorce could n't get any messier . Weeks after Russia annexed Ukraine 's Crimea region , it plans to take custody of dolphins in the nation as well . Not just any dolphins . These highly trained military mammals detect risks such as sea mines or enemy scuba divers trying to slip through . Sea mines are sophisticated weapons that can sink ships and other watercraft . `` The combat dolphin program in the Crimean city of Sevastopol will be preserved and redirected toward the interests of the Russian navy , '' state-run Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Thursday . Dolphins are a crucial part of open-water security . They detect sounds and objects in murky waters that human beings ca n't , making them uniquely effective at highlighting dangers on the sea floor . Harnessing the military power of animal intelligence . Ukraine was using outdated military equipment for the dolphin program and planned to disband it next month , RIA Novosti said . The Ukraine Defense Ministry told CNN that the nation has an ocean dolphin facility , but declined to provide details , saying they 're classified . The dolphin program dates to the 1960s , when Russia and Ukraine were part of the Soviet Union , but was handed over to Kiev after independence . The U.S. Navy in San Diego also trains dolphins and sea lions to help protect its assets and find dangerous objects underwater . Tensions between Moscow and Kiev have escalated since Russia reclaimed the Crimea region after a referendum this month that overwhelmingly supported the annexation . The United States and its allies have pledged to isolate Russia for its actions . Ukraine also has combat sea lions that operate under the same base . It 's unclear whether they 'll be barking allegiances to Moscow or Kiev . CNN 's Lisa Emmanuel and Victoria Butenko contributed to this report .
Russia wants to take control of Ukraine 's combat dolphins , news agencies reported . Dolphins are a crucial part of open - water security . From a military perspective , they 're effective at highlighting threats on the sea floor .