Naval mine drama: Russian tourists risk explosion in Sochi
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 travelling 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. Authorities always warn against touching or moving such findings. Bomb disposal teams are always called to the scene to neutralise the object.
Naval mines a threat in the Black Sea
Both sides of the conflict use naval mines. 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.
Naval mines are a huge problem for vessels operating in the area. Sometimes, it's not known where such an object might drift. They have exploded 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 dangerous objects.
