This is the moment Ukrainian soldiers find a sea mine that had been washed ashore during stormy weather.
The Ukrainian military confirmed on May 16 that two mines appeared on the southern coast during storms over the weekend.
The Operational Command South, a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces in southern Ukraine, said on May 14: “In the sea in the Odessa region, near one of the beaches, an enemy mine was found.
“Being tens of meters from the shore, it does not pose a direct threat. However, once again we are reminded of the dangers of swimming and other uses of our coastal waters.
“We thank our fellow citizens for their vigilance and notifying us to take prompt action. The situation is under the control of the relevant units of the Ukrainian Navy. The mine will be cleared by explosive specialists.
“We emphasize once again that, for your own safety, you should not approach the beaches and coast, go out on the water in a vessel, or even go swimming.
“Threats of missile strikes and mines remain relevant.
“The defence forces took countermeasures after the enemy insidiously scattered sea mines in our coastal waters.”
Operational Command South added: “Be wise and conscious, take care of yourself and together we will save Ukraine!”
The following day, the Ukrainian Navy confirmed: “In the Odessa region, two naval enemy mines, which were brought close to the coast in stormy weather, were removed and neutralized by specialists of the Navy bomb team.”
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. May 16, 2022 marks the 82nd day of the campaign.
From February 24 to May 16, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 27,700 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,228 tanks, 2,974 armored fighting vehicles, 577 artillery systems, 195 multiple launch rocket systems, 89 anti-aircraft systems, 200 warplanes, 165 helicopters, 2,101 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 427 unmanned aerial vehicles, 42 units of special equipment, and 97 cruise missiles.
Last week, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “humiliating himself on the world stage”.
She called for tougher sanctions on Russia and said they should not be relaxed until the last Russian troop departs Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia is expected to up its bombardment of the Azovstal steelworks plant, the last area of the strategic port city of Mariupol that is not under Russian control.
