The historic center, listed at the beginning of the year by Unesco as a World Heritage Site, was the target of a new attack which left two dead and 22 injured, including at least four children, according to the Ukrainian authorities.
A new attack by Russian forces on the Ukrainian port of Odessa left at least two dead and 22 injured, including four children, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry. Four children are among the victims, according to the emergency services. kyiv adds that the Russian missile fire, which occurred during the night of Saturday July 22 to Sunday July 23, also caused the “destruction” the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, an Orthodox cathedral classified by Unesco. Collapsed walls, burnt icons, rickety chandeliers: this building over 200 years old is devastated. “All the decorations are practically destroyed. Only the bell tower is intact”deplores Father Myroslav, the deputy rector of the cathedral.
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In response, Unesco condemned, “with the greatest firmness”THE “brutal strikes carried out by Russian forces” which affected the center of Odessa, a world heritage site. “These terrible destruction marks a new escalation of violence against Ukraine’s cultural heritage”denounced the director general of the UN agency for culture, education and science, Audrey Azoulay. “I urge the Russian Federation to take tangible steps to comply with its obligations under international law” relating to the preservation of heritage, she continued.
Twenty-five monuments were damaged in Sunday’s strikes, according to regional governor Oleg Kiper, who accused the Russian military of having “deliberately aimed its missiles at the historic center of Odessa”. While the city’s mayor, Gennady Trukhanov, said: “If you knew how much Odessa hates you. She hates you, she despises you too. You are fighting against young children, against Orthodox churches (…). You do not know the Odessites well. You will not break us, you will simply fuel our anger.” Unusually, he concluded his video in Russian, in order to express his thoughts.
Ukraine promises ‘retaliation’
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister mentioned, for his part, on Twitter, “a war crime that will never be forgotten and forgiven“. The Southern Operational Command of the Ukrainian army announced that the air defenses had shot down a part “important” Russian missiles. Unintercepted projectiles have “caused damage to port infrastructure, to at least six residences, including apartment buildings”detailed the army.
Ukraine has promised “reprisals” after firing these “19 missiles” on the Black Sea port city, regularly targeted by Russian strikes. “Missiles against peaceful towns, against apartment buildings, a cathedral”, reacted on Twitter Volodymyr Zelensky. “There is no excuse for Russian evil.” For its part, Moscow claimed to have destroyed all the targets aimed at in Odessa. Russia assures that the places hit were used to prepare “terrorist acts” against her.