«This is my task for 2025»: Kim on the opening of the tourist season in Kobleve

In Kobleve, Mykolaiv Oblast, they want to open some of the beaches by the summer of 2025. Entrepreneurs insist on resuming the tourist season following the example of Odesa.

This was discussed during a meeting of local entrepreneurs with representatives of the regional authorities «Dialogue with business», NikVesti reports.

According to the head of the Kobleve village council, Volodymyr Panych, the tourism industry is the main source of funding for the community's budget. After the start of the full-scale invasion, the community lost more than 65% of its budget revenues due to the closure of beaches and the tourism business in general. Local entrepreneurs are proposing to partially reopen the beaches in Kobleve, Rybakivka, and Luhove.

The main issues that need to be addressed to restore the beaches are coastal demining, protection from mines from the sea, and shelters for the safety of vacationers.

The head of the Kobleve Village Council, Volodymyr Panych, emphasized that the issue of coastal demining is the most important.

«The cost of demining the territory of our community today is 1 million 920 thousand dollars,» he noted.

The head of the Mykolaiv RMA, Vitalii Kim, assured that funds for demining could be found, but the problem lies elsewhere.

«We will find the money to clear mines, but the question is different. Everyone understands that it is necessary to open them, everyone understands that there are mines, but no one understands what to do if someone explodes,» he said.

The risk of sea mines flooding in from the Black Sea is also a concern. Community leader Volodymyr Panych has suggested installing barrier nets to protect the beaches.

«The business is ready to take on the responsibility of fencing off the areas that will be approved for opening,» he said.

Vitalii Kim noted that it is not only the threat of landmines that is making it difficult to launch the tourist season in the Kobleve community. He expressed doubts about the possibility of opening beaches in Luhove and Rybakivka due to the threat of mortar shelling.

«I am very hesitant about Luhove and Rybakivka, where they receive mortar fire. Odesa is working because only missiles reach them, artillery does not. And this is my task for 2025, to ensure their return. We all want Kobleve to open up, I want to swim in my own sea,» said the head of the RMA.

During the meeting, the participants also heard the opinion of the military regarding the opening of beaches in the community. As noted by the head of the civil-military cooperation group of the «military «Odesa» group, Oleksandr Tatarov, the command believes that the launch of the tourist season in Kobleve today is inappropriate.

«It is very difficult to make such a decision, the most important thing is the security component. The command believes that at the moment it is not advisable, but we understand that it is difficult for business. Everyone knows that this is a threatening direction, and now conducting demining activities is a very difficult moment. Regarding Odesa, beaches are allowed for swimming only within the city limits, no permits were issued for the region, and the fact that people are resting is a human factor, we cannot protect or close it. No one will be standing there with machine guns. Unfortunately, we cannot control everyone. At the moment, the Kobleve community cannot open the beaches,» he said.

Despite this, Vitalii Kim instructed the community authorities to provide the State Emergency Service with information about areas that need to be inspected for explosive devices.

«I ask that you provide information to the State Emergency Service on which areas need to be surveyed. Although we don’t have a permit yet, they should schedule it and book groups — both underwater and water. This will need to be tied clearly to the construction of barriers: surveyed and immediately fenced off,» he said.

Another aspect of opening the beaches is shelter. Due to the proximity to the Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit, there is a risk of shelling.

«In terms of basements and facilities, the areas closest to shelters and basements will be open. They often fly there and are often shot down. Even if Koblevo itself is not a target, if air defense is operating there, you need to take cover at least from the debris somewhere,» said Vitalii Kim.

Read the article NikVesti «The sea in Mykolaiv region. Are mines still a threat? We explain».