There was no miracle: the body of 10-year-old Sofia, who had been swept out into the open sea, was found in the Odesa region

In the Odesa region the body of 10-year-old Sofiya Potemkina was found; she was carried out into the open sea on June 19, 2026 on an inflatable ring. The child was discovered 18 days after her disappearance.

According to the police, on July 7 local residents saw the body of the young girl in the water near the shore in the area of the city of Pivdenne. Local Telegram channels reported that this happened near the recreation base “Cherkaschanka”. The child’s body was removed from the water and sent for a forensic medical examination, which is to establish the final cause of death.

The tragedy occurred on the morning of June 19 on an unregulated beach near the village of Sychavka of the Pivdennivska community. Sofiya Potemkina was resting with her great-grandmother and was in the water on an inflatable ring. Due to a strong current the child was quickly carried away from the shore. The great-grandmother tried to save her but was unable to overcome the current.

Shortly thereafter, representatives of the Naval Forces found the inflatable ring. For 5 days rescuers inspected the sea surface, the coastal strip and the seabed, involving divers, drones and special equipment. The active phase of the search was later suspended due to dangerous conditions on the unprepared beach, which posed a threat to divers.

The police urged citizens to use only official beaches, where the coastline and seabed have been checked, lifeguard posts operate and assistance can be provided quickly.

Earlier we wrote:

• Inflatable ring found, child not: searches halted due to risks to divers
• On the third day, search continues for the 10-year-old girl who was carried into the open sea in the Odesa region
• Water takes lives: 8 people have already drowned in the Mykolaiv region since the start of the year
• A young man swam to a friend and did not resurface: in Ukraine 6 people died in the water in one day
• The body of a young man was found 60 meters from the shore: a gruesome tragedy in the Mykolaiv region