FactualStrategic place of Ukraine through its terminals from where Ukrainian cereals are exported, the big city on the Black Sea expects the worst. Vladimir Putin has promised to “punish” the city, the scene of violent clashes in 2014.
From the capital of laughter, Odessa has become that of fury. Dear to the hearts of Russians, and more broadly to the Russian-speaking world, this city founded in 1794 by Empress Catherine II seduces with its sandy beaches, its splendid Franco-Italian architecture, its unique mix of Mediterranean, Jewish and Slavic cultures, its festive Arcadia district and its incomparable comedy festival.
But today, Russian-speaking Odessa awaits with arms in hand the advance of Russian imperialism. Everywhere in town, posters, placards, road signs intimate the Russian invader of“go fuck yourself…”, whether he comes by cruiser, bomber or tank. A touch of scathing, outrageously crude humor on a block of cold anger.
On the ninth day of the war, the Russian ground offensive was only 150 km away. Intimidating frigates cruise offshore, watched on the shore by walkers. Enemy fighter planes and drones made timid appearances in the sky, pushed back by the shots air defenses that disturb the apparent calm. A handful of missiles crashed into military objectives, nearly all of them missing their targets. Compared to Kiev, Mariupol and Kharkiv, the country’s third largest city remains largely untouched by Russian cannon fire.
Many residents fled
The large million inhabitants know that their turn will come. Odessa is an irreplaceable port for Ukraine. Through its terminals, Ukrainian cereals harvested on the rich “black soils” are exported, which constitute strong competition with Russian cereals. It is also the main entry point for oil, entire regions of which already suffer from a terrible deficit.
Large numbers of people have already fled to the northwest of the country, Moldova and Romania. No one knows how many, not even the mayor of the city, Gennady Trukhanov. “I think it’s better for Odessa that the people stay and defend their city,” he said to World. The elected official insists on the efforts made by the municipal team to ensure the safety of the citizens. One month of food in case of siege, 353 certified anti-bombing shelters and 600 simple shelters.
“Putin pretends that it is a peacekeeping operation, when it is a real war”, continues the mayor. “A fratricidal war, made up of the bombing of cities, hospitals and schools”, says this 57-year-old former artillery captain with a sporty physique. Gennadi Troukhanov was elected in May 2014 on a program advocating rapprochement with Moscow. “70% of the Odesites were then pro-Russian. We have worked to change this mindset. Today, pro-Russians represent less than 15%. They are old people, formatted in the Soviet era and who will not be changed. »
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