THIS is the terrifying moment two men are blown up by a Russian sea mine after swimming on a beach in Odesa, Ukraine.
The horrifying detonation also injured two others after a crowd of beachgoers gathered despite warnings to avoid the coastline.
Horrifying CCTV footage has captured the moment two men are blown up by a Russian sea mine in the popular Odesa beach[/caption]
Two others were injured in the blast – the second accidental sea mine detonation in a month[/caption]
Ukrainian authorities have warned beachgoers to avoid the port town amid fears Russians will target Ukrainian beaches if crowds form[/caption]
The footage, shared by Ukrainian media yesterday, shows the Russian mine exploding after the group took a dip in the water.
According to Pravda, two men were killed instantly by the blast.
Fears over a Russian airstrike on beachgoers had led to a ban on attending the popular Odesa shoreline during the summer.
But a city council spokesman said “a group of men’” had “ignored the announced restrictions on visiting the coast and swimming in coastal waters”.
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“While swimming, an explosion of an unknown explosive device killed two on the spot,” he added.
During the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kremlin forces laid mines across the Black Sea.
But stormy weather in the months since has caused some of the devastating mines to drift to the coast.
The tragic incident comes just months after another swimmer was blown up after hitting a Russian sea mine in Odesa in June.
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The 50-year-old man was detonated in front of his horrified family, leading authorities to step up their warnings against visiting the formerly-popular holiday spot.
Regional authorities warned: ‘Police urge residents and guests of Odesa region to strictly follow the rules of martial law.
“Do not go to the coastal protection zone of the Black Sea, do not swim in the mined sea.
“While swimming in the sea in one of the villages of Odesa district, an explosion of an unknown object killed a 50-year-old man in front of his wife, son and friend.
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“The latter miraculously did not suffer, because he went swimming with the victim.”
“Once again, a strict ban on visiting the coast and swimming in the sea are security measures that are life-threatening if neglected.”
A report by the Human Rights Watch has estimated thousands of mines have been laid by Putin’s forces since the invasion began in February.
US President Joe Biden last week also announced an $89 million aid package to help safely clear Ukrainian coastlines of landmines – adding to the billions he has already sent to the nation.
US authorities have admitted that Ukraine is facing “one of the most serious problems with land mines and unexploded ordnance in recent decades.”
