Once gems by the sea, how have popular resorts changed after three years of Russian occupation? (photos, videos)
Three years have passed since Russia seized the popular resorts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donbas. During this time, once-thriving tourist locations have transformed into abandoned territories under the control of occupiers and local collaborators.
Kyrillivka, which attracted thousands of tourists with the warm waters of the Azov Sea between Fedotova and Peresyp spits before the war, has now become a military base for the occupiers.
Berdiansk, where resort life once flourished, now features empty and littered beaches. Wooden umbrellas are broken, pedestrian paths are covered in sand, and the coastline is overgrown with weeds. The roads leading to the beaches are strewn with trash and are gradually deteriorating without proper maintenance.
Yevpatoria on the Black Sea, previously one of the most popular resorts in the Kherson region, is now under Russian occupation. This resort town, known for its broad sandy beaches and developed infrastructure, has turned into ruins.
How people vacationed in Yevpatoria in 2017:
The beaches were overcrowded:
The ecological situation has also worsened. In the summer of 2024, the shores suffered from an invasion of jellyfish. An additional blow came from an oil spill near the Kerch Strait — fuel oil from Russian tankers has polluted the beaches. Not to mention that the waters are mined. Sometimes, explosive devices are washed ashore by the sea waves. This makes vacationing by the sea extremely dangerous.
It is worth noting that, according to the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, Berdiansk and Kyrillivka have turned into military bases. Former resort areas are now occupied by enemy units, as access for Ukrainian military forces to the Azov Sea coastline is severely restricted.
Earlier, "Telegraph" reported that the occupied Kyrillivka was hit by an unusual phenomenon. Here’s what the popular resort looks like in February.