Putin cites orcas eating polar bears as justification for war on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered an unusual line of reasoning to justify his country's war against Ukraine during a meeting with teachers and students at Moscow State Pedagogical University. The exchange was reported by independent investigative outlet The Insider and Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza.

A story from the North Pole

During the gathering, Dmitry Balanchukov, a teacher from Belgorod Oblast, recounted his experiences traveling to the North Pole. Putin asked whether he had seen polar bears there and remarked that killer whales attack them.

From nature to war justification

Putin then linked this observation to a justification for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. He described killer whales living near polar bears and devouring them as easily as small fish, attacking in packs and tearing their prey apart. He called this the food chain and said children also need to be told about it, so they understand what kind of world they live in and why Russia is conducting what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" — the term Russia uses for its unprovoked war against Ukraine.

The remarks come as Russian officials continue to offer varied justifications for a war that has now stretched on for years.