Usually at this time of year, tourists, mainly Russians, flock to the Ukrainian seaside resort of Odessa to enjoy the Black Sea beaches. But the white sand is now covered with mines because of the war. And the threat of a bombardment by the Russian army is now part of the exit to the sea.
In the struggle for control of the Black Sea, the Ukrainian army deployed a slew of mines along the coast in the event of a Russian amphibious assault. A defense strategy that requires closing beaches to ensure civilians are not harmed.
Another shock caused by this war, because the ban on access to the beaches, added to which is the total standstill of tourism, does not remain without consequences for the life and especially the local economy of the port and seaside resort of Odessa.
In a city under siege, residents find it very difficult to live without enjoying the sand and sea.In images and videos posted on social networks, we observe unusual, not to say terrifying, scenes of people walking on settled on the sand while no shelling takes place far from the beach. Powerful images that testify to the everyday life of residents of Odessa, which was once very popular with Russian tourists in particular.
Now Ukrainian army signs are warning residents to stay away from beaches where mines have been buried. The view from a seaside restaurant is now blocked by a sign that reads ‘Danger! Mines”, as Reuters journalists report. It’s also not uncommon to see people strolling on the beach despite the risk, Reuters also testifies.
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With these precautions in mind, and as summer weather has settled down across the Black Sea as well, residents have found the solution, laying out beach towels along the promenades rather than on the beaches to sunbathe in swimsuits. One thing is for sure, the local economy will be hit hardaccording to the head of the Odessa Tourist Bureau, Oleksandr Babich, contacted by Reuters: “It’s hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, all activities related to the beach and the coastal sector … I don’t know how the city’s economy will develop will recover.”