There’s a sea, but you can’t swim: Kim explained what will happen to the beaches this summer

Tourism is on the brink, but safety comes first: Mykolaiv region's coastline will remain off-limits

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06 May 2026

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Most likely, this summer the beaches on the seacoast of the Mykolaiv region will not be opened to vacationers. The reason – not bureaucracy, but real military threats: proximity to the front line, the risk of strikes by FPV drones, artillery, and mine danger.

This was told by the head of the Mykolaiv OVA Vitaliy Kim told “Novyny.Live”, commenting on the region’s preparations for a possible tourist season.

According to the head of the region, the situation in the Mykolaiv region cannot be compared with neighboring regions where openings of beaches are already being discussed. The region’s coastline is located much closer to the danger zone, so the military do not support the idea of opening access to the sea.

“We are located much closer than Odesa. There it is 130 kilometers to the sea, while for us to the beaches it is from 4 to 30 kilometers. And that means accessibility even of simple weapons, such as FPV and artillery. Therefore the military are categorically against it,” – noted Vitaliy Kim.

At the same time, the region is not sitting idly by and is already calculating possible options for the future. In particular, they are considering the use of buoys, barriers and other technical solutions that could increase the level of safety after demining.

This is not about the immediate opening of beaches, but about preparing scenarios in case the military and responsible services give permission to clear certain sections of the coastline. According to Kim, the region is already identifying specific beaches that could potentially be opened under favorable conditions.

However, the head of the OVA made it clear: this year there most likely will be no access to the open sea. Instead, inland waters, pools and lakes may operate where demining has already been carried out and the security situation allows it.

“We are working out technologies on how to ensure safety from mines using buoys and barriers if beach clearing is permitted. We have a plan for specific beaches that we could open if the appropriate permission is granted. We are preparing just in case, but I think this year there will be no opening of beaches and access to the open sea. Inland waters, pools and lakes will be open where demining has already been carried out,” – he said.

Separately, Vitaliy Kim addressed the state of the tourism business in the region. According to him, entrepreneurs who for years lived off the summer season are now in an extremely difficult situation. The head of the region said he sees this during his trips around the region: the tourism sector is effectively in a catastrophic state. That is why the Mykolaiv region plans to ask the state for special assistance to restore this sector.

“Unfortunately, I see it myself when I travel around the region and observe how the tourism business is faring. This is already a catastrophic situation. We will ask the state for help in restoration – that is definite,” – he said.

For the resort areas of the Mykolaiv region, in particular Kobleve, Rybakivka, Luhove and other coastal settlements, this means another difficult season without full access to the sea. Businesses need support, but the authorities are not yet ready to open beaches at the cost of risking people’s safety.

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