A day at the beach turned deadly when three swimmers were killed by sea mines in Zatoka, Odesa. The victims — two men and one woman — were in prohibited waters when explosions occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time.
“Being in unchecked waters is fatally dangerous,” warned regional governor Oleh Kiper. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged tourists to avoid swimming in restricted areas due to the risk of drifting mines from the Russia-Ukraine war. The Black Sea has been heavily mined since the 2022 invasion, with strong currents carrying explosives toward resort beaches.
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
Police confirmed the swimmers died after two explosive devices detonated. Their identities have not yet been released. Witnesses described the blasts happening just meters from the shore.
Despite the danger, Ukraine’s beaches remain busy during the summer. Authorities stress that ignoring safety rules can have tragic consequences. As one local report noted, “A prohibited swim became a deadly mistake.”
