A Russian missile attack hit the center of Odesa, Ukraine, on Friday evening, injuring two women and a teenage boy. The attack also caused extensive damage to historic buildings, including structures in the UNESCO-protected area.
Odesa’s regional governor, Oleg Kiper, confirmed that three ballistic missiles struck the city within minutes of each other. “Two women were hospitalised in moderate condition,” Kiper stated, adding that a teenage boy sustained a head injury and was also taken to the hospital.
Ukrainian President Condemns the Attack
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the missile strike an “absolutely deliberate attack by Russian terrorists.” He emphasized that it was fortunate no lives were lost.
The Ukrainian emergency service released footage of rescue operations, showing debris outside the historic Hotel Bristol. A woman trapped in a second-floor room was rescued, and firefighters extinguished a fire on the roof.
Damage to UNESCO-Protected Heritage
Odesa’s mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, reported significant damage to several historical buildings. “There is a lot of destruction in the UNESCO-protected area,” he said.
Among the damaged sites were:
- The Literary Museum
- The Historical and Local Lore Museum
- The Archaeological Museum
- The Museum of Western and Eastern Art
- The Philharmonic
The Transfiguration Cathedral, previously destroyed by the Soviets and rebuilt in the 2000s, was also severely damaged in a Russian strike in July 2023.
International Presence in Attack Zone
According to President Zelensky, Norwegian diplomatic representatives were present near the attack site. Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers claimed foreign military personnel were staying at the targeted hotel, though these claims remain unverified.
Ongoing Threat to Odesa
Odesa, a historic Black Sea port city, has faced repeated Russian missile and drone attacks, particularly targeting its port and infrastructure. Ukrainian officials continue to call for stronger air defenses and international support to protect the city’s cultural heritage and civilian population.
