Russia attacks Odesa’s historic center: victims and large-scale destruction

On the night of July 23, powerful explosions rang out in Odesa. Russia attacked the city with several types of missiles. One person died, and another 22 civilians, including 4 children, were injured, the Odesa Oblast Military Administration reported.

The occupiers hit the historic center of Odessa, which UNESCO protects. Local authorities said the Russians damaged at least 25 architectural monuments, including houses of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Russian weapons destroyed the Transfiguration Cathedral – the largest Orthodox church in Odesa, consecrated in 1808. Perhaps for the first time, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has openly condemned the actions of Russia.

Six residential buildings, particularly multi-apartment ones, were also destroyed; dozens of cars were damaged, roofs and facades were disfigured, and windows were shattered. The consequences of the attack were also felt by the building of the Greek consulate and up to 50 houses in total.

“Missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral… There can be no excuse for Russian evil. As always, this evil will lose. And there will definitely be a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation,“ Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Last night, #RussiaIsATerroristState barbarically shelled #Odesa, one of #Ukraine's most beautiful cities, the center of which is a #UNESCO #WorldHeritage Site. 6 buildings were destroyed, 25 architectural monuments damaged. The attack injured 19 people, including 4 children 1/2 pic.twitter.com/8kDZNX2JdC

— Ukrainian World Congress 🇺🇦 (@UWCongress) July 23, 2023

Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, promised to help Ukraine with the rebuilding of the Transfiguration Cathedral. “The attacks on Odesa, the deaths of innocent people, and the destruction of the Transfiguration Cathedral deeply sadden us. Russian aggressors are destroying grain warehouses, depriving millions of people of food. They are destroying our European civilization, its sacred symbols. A free people will not allow itself to be intimidated; barbarism will not win,” Meloni said.

The Odesa Oblast also came under fire from the Russians. In total, the occupiers launched 19 missiles of various types over the region in one night, the Air Force reported. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine can defeat Russian terror only by having a full-fledged air shield.

The European Union condemned Russia’s attack. “Continuous Russian missile terror on UNESCO-protected Odesa constitutes yet another war crime by the Kremlin, also demolishing the main Orthodox Cathedral – a world heritage site,” EU High Representative Josep Borrell said.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also reacted to another crime by Russia. “UNESCO is deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms the brazen attack carried out by the Russian forces, which hit several cultural sites in the city center of Odesa, home to the World Heritage property ‘The Historic Centre of Odesa,’” the organization said.