Russian Missiles Damage Historic Cathedral in Odesa, Ukraine
In a shocking event, Russian missiles badly damaged a historic Orthodox cathedral in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa. The strikes have sparked outrage and prompted President Zelensky to vow retaliation against Russia.
According to Ukrainian officials, the missile attacks killed at least one person and injured several others. The attacks also caused significant destruction to other historic buildings in Odesa, as stated by Ukraine’s culture ministry.
The Transfiguration Cathedral, Odesa’s largest church building, was consecrated in 1809. It was destroyed during the Soviet era in 1936 but was later rebuilt when Ukraine became an independent nation.
Located in Odesa’s city center, the cathedral is part of a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO due to the threat of Russia’s invasion. Video footage showed the interior of the cathedral filled with debris, though officials managed to retrieve the city’s patroness icon from under the rubble.
Odesa is a key cultural center with historical ties to Russia. It was founded under Catherine the Great and was once the second most important port in Russia.
The missile strikes in Odesa have caused widespread damage, with dozens of cars, buildings, and windows affected. Power outages have also disrupted traffic and public transport routes in the city, according to Ukraine’s Operational Command.
One Ukrainian journalist who experienced the attacks firsthand described her house shaking and bouncing from the explosions. The Russian Ministry of Defense denied intentionally targeting the cathedral and claimed to have destroyed locations where “terrorist acts” were being prepared.
Ukraine has been struggling to defend Odesa from a wave of Russian strikes, as their air defenses are unable to cope with the types of missiles used by Moscow. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the latest attack and vowed retaliatory action against Russia.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed concern over Russia’s destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine. Local military commanders also reported at least two deaths in the Kharkhiv region following Russian overnight strikes.
President Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support Odesa has received and emphasized the need to defeat the “Russian evil” in order to restore peace.
As tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia, the international community watches closely to see how the situation will unfold, hoping for a resolution that will bring lasting peace to the region.