Discussion around the opening of beaches: mine danger is still high in Odesa Oblast

The operational situation on the Black Sea has not changed, and it is up to local authorities to decide whether to open the beaches or not.

Source: Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Coordination Press Centre of the security and defence forces in Ukraine's south, at a briefing at the Ukraine Media Centre

Details: According to Humeniuk, after withdrawing from the grain deal, Russia could have laid new mines to block shipping.

Quote: "The position of the military is unchanged – the operational situation has not changed, the missile threat is high, and the enemy is mainly attacking Odesa Oblast from the sea. Mine danger has increased after the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam was blown up. The sea current has brought many dangerous ‘surprises’ that we do not know about. Storms and currents can raise them from the bottom...

We have reported all this, and then it is up to the authorities. Only after all safety measures are taken can the beaches be opened."

Details: According to Humeniuk, 32 mines have been defused off the coast of Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts since the beginning of the year.

At the briefing, environment expert Vladyslav Balinskyi also noted that not only mines but also masses of mud carried by the sea currents pose a danger on the beaches in Odesa Oblast.

According to Balinskyi, there have already been cases of exceeding the norms of some harmful substances in the water.

Ilona Remihailo, manager of the Palace Del Mar hotel, noted that the business is suffering greatly from the ban on visiting beaches but heeds the recommendations of the authorities.

Background: The Odesa Oblast Military Administration issued an order to prepare the beaches for the opening of the beach season by 10 August.

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