Three people were killed after sea mines drifted dangerously close to Zatoka Beach, a popular coastalarea near the city of Odesa in southern Ukraine.
The Black Sea, once a beloved holiday destination for Ukrainians, has become increasingly perilous since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Many beaches have been closed to the public, with authorities repeatedly warning residents and tourists to avoid restricted waters.
According to local officials, two men and a woman lost their lives when the mines exploded roughly 165 feet from the shore. All three had been swimming in an area officially closed for recreation.
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| Viacheslav Onyshchenko/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images |
“All of them were killed by explosive devices while swimming in prohibited waters,” said regional governor Oleh Kiper. “This once again proves that being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous. Each designated beach undergoes a full safety inspection to ensure there is no mine threat both on land and in the sea.”
After losing a large portion of its naval fleet early in the war, Russia began deploying sea mines across the Black Sea to target Ukrainian vessels. In response, Ukraine also placed mines along parts of its coastline to deter potential Russian landings.
However, these mines can become unstable — dislodged by strong currents, heavy rainfall, or shifting tides — and occasionally drift toward beaches, posing a deadly risk to civilians.
Today, the Black Sea is considered one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. In addition to drifting mines, unexploded mortars and aerial bombs have also been discovered, further heightening the risk for swimmers, boaters, and beachgoers.
Tragic in Zatoka:
— AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) August 10, 2025
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
According to a police report cited by the BBC, the identities of the three victims have not yet been confirmed.
“It has been preliminarily established that three vacationers — a woman and two men — died while swimming due to two explosions of unidentified objects,” the statement read. “The identities of the deceased are being determined.”
Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next week in Alaska to discuss potential steps toward ending the ongoing war, which began in 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 posted on Truth Social. “Further details to follow.”
Reports suggest Trump may also invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to participate in the talks.
Please share this article with your family and friends to raise awareness about the ongoing dangers along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast.
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