Illustration: #MariKinovych
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Since February 24, 2022, all cities of Ukraine have been lined with sandbags. You can see them near cultural monuments, administrative and military facilities, and checkpoints. This is an easy and cheap way to make a fortification or set up a defensive position.
Odesa is located on the shores of the Black Sea and was immediately an essential target for the Russian army. Odesa residents began to do everything to protect their city from the first days of the full-scale war. For example, they self-organized on local beaches and filled sandbags. About 100 people came to Dog Beach every day during February and March, and volunteers delivered almost 10,000 bags to different locations per day. Concerts were held on the beaches to support the working mood, and volunteers were given free food and warm drinks. According to Odesa residents, the music made it possible for them not to be distracted by the sounds of explosions from the sea.
When volunteers collected more than 15,000 tons of sand (half a million bags) on three beaches at the end of March, it turned out to be enough for civil and military facilities in Odesa. However, there is plenty of other volunteer work for everyone in Odesa and throughout Ukraine.