A group of nearly two dozen killer whales found themselves trapped in ice off the coast of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Trapped by drifting ice floes, animals cannot get out into clean water on their own. This was reported by RIAMO with reference to the SHOT Telegram channel.

The situation is critical: the killer whales are experiencing a lack of oxygen, which is especially dangerous for the calf spotted in the group.

Japanese rescuers, unable to help on their own, turned to Russia for help.

Russia has already responded to the request and is now coordinating a rescue operation plan with the Japanese side.