Tragedy has struck the port city of Odesa, as one person has been reported dead and 19 others injured in a recent missile attack by Russian forces. These attacks have been ongoing since Monday, when Russia withdrew from a landmark grain deal brokered by Turkey and the UN. The attacks have destroyed residential buildings, including apartment buildings, and have severely damaged the historical Transfiguration Cathedral, a symbol of Odesa's cultural heritage.
Regional Governor Oleh Kiper expressed his outrage at the attacks, calling the perpetrators "monsters" in a post on Telegram. He also reported that four children were among those injured in the blasts. The cathedral, which is the city's largest Orthodox church, was consecrated in 1809 and was rebuilt in 2003 after being demolished by the Soviet Union in 1939.
Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov was seen walking through rubble inside the church in a video posted by the city council on social media. Another clip showed a distressed man walking inside the cathedral, repeating the phrase "The church is no longer... Lord, have mercy." The UN's cultural agency, Unesco, has repeatedly urged Russia to cease attacks on Odesa, which was designated an endangered World Heritage site earlier this year.
Despite these pleas, Russia has targeted the Odesa region with at least five different types of missiles. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, has called for more missiles and defence systems to protect civilians and vital infrastructure from future attacks. This latest missile strike destroyed 50,000 tonnes of grain, which officials say is essential for the grain deal.
Odesa is Ukraine's largest port, and millions of tonnes of grain are shipped from its docks under the terms of the deal. The withdrawal of Russia from the pact has led to heightened tensions between the two countries, with Odesa becoming a key target for Russian aggression. The ongoing attacks have left the people of Odesa in fear for their safety and in mourning for the loss of their cultural heritage. The international community waits with bated breath to see if these attacks will continue or if a peaceful resolution can be reached.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0