NewsBeachgoers in Sochi unfazed by potentially deadly naval mine

Beachgoers in Sochi unfazed by potentially deadly naval mine

The Russians retrieved a naval mine.
The Russians retrieved a naval mine.
Images source: © X | WarTranslated (Dmitri)
Rafał Strzelec

8 September 2024 10:48

Russian Sochi is one of the most popular summer resorts for Russians. The beaches are crowded with tourists. When the sun beats down, some come up with rather strange ideas. A few people decided to drag a naval mine to the shore. This could have led to tragedy, yet even other beachgoers did not seem too concerned about this discovery.

Sochi is the largest summer resort in Russia. Long beaches and hot weather attract tourists from all over the country. The Black Sea is extremely popular due to its high temperature. When traveling to Crimea, which might be under fire, is impossible, Russians return to their favourite resort in the Krasnodar Region.

The sea also offers "surprises" that are undoubtedly dangerous. A video has just appeared online showing beachgoers carrying a spherical object with protrusions to the shore.

It turns out that Russians were rolling a naval mine along the shore. Interestingly, this fact did not bother them at all. It was as if they believed nothing could harm them. Similarly, other beachgoers either watched or recorded the entire situation. And you never know if such an object might explode and cause injury at any moment. Canadian authorities always warn against touching or moving such findings. Sappers are always called to the scene to neutralize such objects.

Naval mines a threat in the Black Sea

Naval mines are used by both sides of the conflict. Access to the Black Sea is crucial for both sides. The Ukrainians can use it to send grain to the world and trade with other countries. Russia, which wants to suffocate the Ukrainian economy, does everything to interfere in this regard. The Ukrainian military also aims to eliminate enemy ships from which ballistic missiles are fired.

For vessels operating in the area, naval mines are a significant problem. Sometimes it's not known where such an object might drift. There have been instances of them exploding after coming into contact with a ship or after drifting to the shore.

By throwing floating bombs into the sea, Russians are breaking international law. Mines enter the territorial waters of countries bordering the Black Sea, such as Romania, Turkey, or Bulgaria. Therefore, in the winter of 2024, NATO countries signed the MCM Black Sea memorandum concerning naval mines. The document aims to provide a legal basis for locating and destroying these dangerous objects.