As the war in Ukraine rages on, the city of Odesa has become a prime target for relentless Russian attacks. Families living in the coastal city are facing the daily reality of air raids, power outages, and the constant threat of destruction.
From their 16th-floor flat, Mariia, Eva, and Sergii can witness the attacks unfolding in Odesa. “Up here you can see and hear when the drones come,” Mariia says, as she stands by the wall-length window. The family, originally from the occupied region of Kherson, fled to Odesa after the invasion began in 2022. Now, as the attacks intensify, they wonder whether they should prepare to leave again.
The strategic importance of Odesa, Ukraine’s third-largest city, has made it a prime focus for Russian forces. With its three major ports, the region is vital to Ukraine’s economy, accounting for 90% of the country’s exports last year. But this very significance has also become its weakness, as Russia seeks to cripple the region’s infrastructure and economy.
In recent weeks, Odesa has faced a barrage of strikes on its port and energy facilities, destroying cargo and containers, and injuring or killing crew members on foreign merchant ships. The consequences have been devastating, with a 45% decrease in agricultural exports, a crucial part of Odesa’s economy.
The relentless attacks have also taken a toll on the city’s residents. Power outages have plunged much of Odesa into darkness, leaving families like Mariia’s to endure the biting winter without electricity or heating. “We were among the first regions to experience what it means to go through the winter period without electricity and without heating,” says Oleh Kiper, the regional government head.
Despite the hardships, the people of Odesa have shown remarkable resilience. Maryna Averina of the State Emergency Service acknowledges that while many have become “very careless about their own safety,” they continue to seek shelter during air raid alerts. Yana, a young mother, describes the situation as “really, really difficult,” but remains hopeful that the war will end soon.
As the attacks continue, the regional government is taking steps to sever any remaining ties between Odesa and Russia. Oleh Kiper has spearheaded the removal of statues and the renaming of streets associated with Russia’s imperial past, in a bid to assert Odesa’s Ukrainian identity.
The people of Odesa are facing an uncertain future, but their determination to persevere in the face of adversity is a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit. As the war rages on, the city’s residents continue to navigate the daily challenges, united in their hope for a peaceful resolution.
