- February 2, 2025
- 12:55 am
- Ukraine
Odessa will stand. Ukraine will stand. But the world must see what Russia is doing. Day 1073 of the war…
The Russians struck ordinary civilian buildings in Odessa. A concrete-piercing missile was used to cause maximum destruction.
On January 31, 2025, Russian terrorists launched three ballistic strikes on the historical center of Odessa. This city, which for centuries was the cultural center of Jewish life, was again in the crosshairs.
The center of Odessa is a unique architectural ensemble protected by UNESCO, which was formed in the 19th-20th centuries.
Odessa is one of the largest historical Jewish centers of Ukraine. In the 19th and 20th centuries, more than 180 thousand Jews lived here, and the city was one of the key places for the development of Jewish culture and Zionism.
Currently, more than 30 thousand Jews live in the city, and today’s attacks are not only a blow to architecture, but also to the historical heritage of the Jewish people in Ukraine.
- Such Jewish figures as Zeev Jabotinsky, one of the founders of the Zionist movement, were born here.
- Famous synagogues and Jewish educational centers operated in Odessa.
- Odessa’s Jewish culture made a huge contribution to literature, art and politics.
Russian missiles did not spare the historical buildings:
- Several buildings near the Opera House, one of the symbols of Odessa, were destroyed.
- The famous Bristol Hotel, which was built in 1898-1899 by architects Alexander Bernardazzi and Adolf Minkus, was seriously damaged.
- Destruction near the Opera House and the Philharmonic, which could lead to further loss of cultural sites.
Civilians in the crosshairs
During the attack, residents took refuge in basements and bomb shelters, but not everyone managed to escape. At the moment, seven victims are known, but this number may increase as the rubble is cleared.
According to the head of the OVA, Oleg Kiper, Russia used a concrete-piercing missile designed to destroy buildings. Its goal is not just to hit the city center, but to pierce several floors and kill civilians.
“They use the tactic of first hitting with a ballistic missile, then finishing off with cluster munitions. But here they used a missile that can penetrate concrete. That is, the strike is aimed at destroying the people who were in the building,” the head of the OVA said.
The reaction of Ukraine and the world
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in his evening address that Russia is deliberately destroying Ukrainian cities, and defense against such attacks is a key priority:
“We are working with all partners to strengthen our air defense and prevent new strikes. Odessa must be protected.”
The mayor of Odessa also confirmed that the strikes fell on a UNESCO-protected area, where massive destruction has already been recorded.
Russia is destroying culture
The missile strikes on Odessa are not the first time Russia has attacked cultural heritage sites. In 2023:
- Part of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was destroyed.
- Museums in Kharkov and Chernigov were damaged.
- Part of the historic center of Lviv was bombed.
Russia is deliberately erasing Ukrainian culture, which is tantamount to cultural genocide.
Conclusion: why is this important?
Odessa is not just a Ukrainian city. This is the center of centuries-old history, a place where Jews and Ukrainians lived side by side, creating a culture that is now under threat. Russia is attacking not only the people, but also the very memory of the city, destroying historical monuments and buildings that carried the spirit of freedom and multiculturalism.
Odessa will survive. Ukraine will survive. But the world needs to see what Russia is doing.
…
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