WAR IN UKRAINE: Man Swimming At Odesa Beach Blows Up In Front Of His Horrified Family

Story By:  Ana MarjanovicSub-EditorMichael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

These images show the moment a man swimming in the sea mere feet from a beach in Odesa suddenly blows up in front of his horrified family.

It is currently unclear what caused the explosion and the authorities are investigating, but swimming in the area is prohibited, as it has been mined due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The footage, which was obtained from the Odesa Region Police, shows people running on the beach towards the water when there is a sudden explosion.

Man (50) was killed in front of his wife, son and comrade, while swimming in sea in Odessa region, in June 2022, as a result of an explosion of an unknown object. (@gunp.odessa/Newsflash)

The graphic and distressing images then show what appear to be the bloody remains of the man, who has not been named, washed up on the shore, with police on the scene.

The Odesa Region Police said in a statement on Saturday, 11th June: “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.

“Today, the neglect of safety rules by a family from Donetsk region has led to tragic consequences. 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. The latter miraculously did not suffer, because he went swimming with the victim.

“Now there is an investigative task force of the territorial unit of police and explosives. The full circumstances of the incident are being established, the issue of entering information under Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine marked ‘accident’ into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations is being resolved.

Man (50) was killed in front of his wife, son and comrade, while swimming in sea in Odessa region, in June 2022, as a result of an explosion of an unknown object. (@gunp.odessa/Newsflash)

“Once again, a strict ban on visiting the coast and swimming in the sea are security measures that are life-threatening if neglected.”

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 110th day of the campaign.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 12th June, Russia had lost 32,150 personnel, 1,430 tanks, 3,484 armoured combat vehicles, 715 artillery systems, 226 multiple launch rocket systems, 97 air defence systems, 212 warplanes, 178 combat helicopters, 582 drones, 13 boats, 2,455 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 54 pieces of special equipment and 125 cruise missiles.

A huge fire is reportedly raging at a chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk as street-to-street fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces takes place in the city.

Man (50) was killed in front of his wife, son and comrade, while swimming in sea in Odessa region, in June 2022, as a result of an explosion of an unknown object. (@gunp.odessa/Newsflash)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russian attacks on the cities of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk has turned them into “dead cities”. But he added that Ukrainian forces could still hold Sievierodonetsk despite being outnumbered.

An aide to President Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine is losing up to 200 troops a day.

President Zelenskyy has asked for additional weapons from Ukraine’s allies to help push back the Russian forces.

The United Kingdom and the United States are sending long-range missile systems to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of more attacks in Ukraine if the West sends long-range weapons.

Man (50) was killed in front of his wife, son and comrade, while swimming in sea in Odessa region, in June 2022, as a result of an explosion of an unknown object. (@gunp.odessa/Newsflash)

President Putin has said that the West will not be able to wean itself off from Russian oil and gas for years. US officials have now also admitted that Russian profits on energy might even be higher than they were before the war started.

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution recommending that the European Union grant Ukraine the status of candidate country for EU membership. Some 438 MEPs voted in favour of the resolution, with 65 voting against and 94 abstaining.