Officials in Mykolaiv explained why they cannot guarantee safety on the beaches

Mykolaiv has no plans to open official swimming areas due to the complex security situation.

Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych made this statement during a staff meeting while commenting on a proposal to designate safe areas for recreation near the water.

According to the mayor, simply surveying the area for explosive devices is not enough to open an official beach. It is also necessary to conduct demining operations, set up lifeguard stations, and staff them. No funds have been allocated for these measures in the city’s 2026 budget.

The head of the Department of Emergency Situations and Civil Protection also emphasized that even after inspecting the water area, it is impossible to guarantee its safety. According to him, once an air raid alert is issued, Russian munitions could reach the city within 5–10 minutes, and ocean currents can wash new explosive devices ashore. That is why it is currently impossible to identify safe swimming areas.

During the meeting, representatives of the expert and public council noted that residents are still spending time near bodies of water, so they proposed identifying at least those areas where the risks are minimal. At the same time, the mayor noted that if the authorities officially designate a particular spot as safe for swimming, they will be responsible for ensuring it is properly equipped and for the safety of swimmers.

Senkevych added that the issue of creating official swimming areas could be considered during the budgeting process for next year, provided that the security situation and the community’s financial capabilities allow it.

Earlier, Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, stated that despite preparations to open the beaches, the military is not granting permission due to the high level of danger. The region is located much closer to enemy positions than, for example, Odesa, which makes the coastline vulnerable to attacks by FPV drones and artillery.

Андрій Колісніченко