Three beachgoers were killed after sea mines washed up too close to Zatoka Beach, near a popular tourist attraction in the city of Odesa, southern Ukraine.
The Black Sea has always been a favourite holiday spot in Ukraine, but many beaches have been closed for safety reasons after Russia’s full-scale invasion, with officials warning holidaymakers to stay out of prohibited waters.
According to local reports, the mines, which killed two men and a woman who were swimming in areas prohibited for recreation, exploded approximately 165ft from shore.
“All of them have been killed by explosive devices while swimming in areas prohibited for recreation,” regional governor Oleh Kiper said.
“This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous. Each of them has undergone a comprehensive inspection — the presence of shelters, the absence of mine danger both on land and in water.”
After losing a significant part of its navy early in the war, Russia has been laying sea mines in the Black Sea to hit Ukrainian vessels. Ukraine, in turn, has scattered its own mines to block any Russian attempts at landing troops along the coast. The mines can be dislodged by strong currents, heavy rainfall, and shifting tides, and have been known to drift toward the shoreline.
Now, the Black Sea — which borders both countries — is one of the most hazardous places to swim.
In addition to the threat of mines, unexploded mortars and aerial bombs have also been found in the water, making it a danger zone for tourists, swimmers, and beachgoers.
Tragic in Zatoka:
A mine exploded just meters from the shore, killing at least one person.
Reports say he swam in a prohibited area — a deadly mistake. pic.twitter.com/rosLauJHYe— AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) August 10, 2025
According to the BBC, the identities of the three people who tragically lost their lives haven’t been identified.
“It has been previously determined that three vacationers – a woman and two men – died while swimming as a result of two explosions of unknown objects. The identities of the deceased are being established,” the police report stated, as per the BBC.
Later this week, Donald Trump is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in an attempt to find a solution that would put an end to the war conflict that has been going on since 2022.
“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
According to some media outlets, Trump is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the meeting.
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