Russian Attack Damages Historic Cathedral in Odesa

Odesa is an important city for “world heritage sites and a vital port for global food security,” said Bridget A. Brink, United States Ambassador to Ukraine, in a Twitter post. Odesa has been a repeated target of Russian attack since Moscow pulled out of a grain deal last week that would permit the export of Ukrainian grain from the city’s ports in the Black Sea.

Founded in the final years of the 18th century, the city of Odesa has a rich history. Its location, near the site of a captured Ottoman fortress on the shores of the Black Sea, has transformed it into a powerhouse port city connecting Ukraine to the global economy.

Because of the Russian invasions over the past two years, the entire city center has been listed as among the World Heritage in Danger sites by UNESCO. The city center is home to many world renowned sites, including the Opera House, The Russov House, the Potocki Palace, and the infamous Potemkin stairs, which having been immortalized in Sergei Eisenstein’s iconic film “Battleship Potemkin," have become an emblematic symbol of the city.

The attacks in Odesa came after an already difficult week with other attacks that impacted many other protected cultural heritage sites in Lviv. “This outrageous destruction marks an escalation of violence against cultural heritage of Ukraine," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said about the attacks in a statement. "I strongly condemn this attack against culture.”

Palchuk said that the building was destroyed by a Russian missile that made its way to the cathedral’s basement, but Russia’s Defense Ministry denies this in a statement, claiming it was likely due to “the fall of a Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missile.” 

This is not the first time that Russians have attacked the Transfiguration Cathedral. In 1936, the Soviets demolished the structure. But despite the odds, the Cathedral has remained for the past eight decades as a symbol of Odesa’s multi-ethnic past and spiritual traditions, as it showcased the convergence of diverse cultures in the region. Though the structure has been completely destroyed, the efforts to save the intact remains show that the citizens of Odesa are strong and will try to rebuild. Palchuk said, “With God’s help we will restore it."

This attack on Odesa comes after several bombings of the city since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In July 2022, the Odesa Museum of Fine Arts was damaged from an attack, where the large glass roof and windows were destroyed. Other sites damaged in the Odesa region include the Archaeological Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Literary Museum, and St. Nicholas Church.

This week’s attack also comes after a long list of sites that have been damaged or destroyed from the Russian-Ukraine war. According to UNESCO, there has been verified damage to 270 sites since February 2022 including 116 religious sites, 27 museums, 95 buildings of historic or artistic interest, 19 monuments, 12 libraries, and one archive.