In the past two nights, Odesa, the southern Ukrainian port city, has witnessed a series of intense Russian aerial assaults. These attacks are among the fiercest seen during the ongoing 17-month-long war. Odesa, located on the Black Sea, has always held significant importance for Ukraine as it serves as the country’s link to the global economy and houses its busiest ports.
Recently, with Russia’s withdrawal from an internationally supported wartime agreement that allowed Ukraine to ship grain across the Black Sea, the importance of Odesa has once again come into focus. This agreement was vital for Ukraine’s agricultural industry, particularly for grain exports, much of which was shipped through Odesa.
To understand Odesa’s significance, let’s delve into its history. The city was established in 1794 by Empress Catherine the Great after the conquest of land from the Ottoman Empire. Odesa has since played a major role economically, symbolically, and strategically.
In the mid-19th century, Odesa was known for its diversity. According to Robert Sears’ guide to the Russian Empire, the city was a melting pot of different cultures and languages. Russians, Tartars, Greeks, Jews, Poles, Italians, Germans, and French were among the inhabitants of Odesa, making it a truly cosmopolitan city.
Interestingly, Odesa represents the opposite of President Vladimir V. Putin’s Russian ethnic nationalism. For Putin, who perceives himself as a historical figure tasked with rebuilding the Russian Empire, Odesa holds great significance in his conquest.
During the early stages of the invasion in February 2022, Odesa remained relatively unscathed while Russian forces bombarded other cities and towns across Ukraine. The first bombing in Odesa occurred almost a month after the invasion began, targeting the city’s outskirts with no reported casualties. It seemed that Russia aimed to claim Odesa without causing significant damage to the city known as the “pearl of the Black Sea.”
However, as Russia’s military campaign encountered setbacks and it grappled to retain initial territorial gains, it resorted to an indirect naval blockade of the ports surrounding Odesa. This blockade aimed to disrupt Ukraine’s economy, with Odesa as its primary target. Instead of simply preventing ships from leaving the ports, Russia began targeting Odesa’s shipping facilities using missiles and drones, intending to destroy the infrastructure that enables Ukraine to export food to the world.
The three ports near Odesa, including the country’s sole deepwater port, are crucial for Ukraine’s import and export activities. Prior to the war, approximately 70% of Ukraine’s trade relied on sea transportation, with almost two-thirds of that flowing through the ports of Odesa. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, ensured that Ukrainian ships carrying food for global markets could sail from Odesa and other cities, evading Russia’s blockade. However, Russia unilaterally withdrew from this agreement, claiming it favored Ukraine and failed to guarantee the security of ships sailing across the sea.
Consequently, Odesa finds itself in a precarious situation, with its main port closed and under constant attack. Dmytro Barinov, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, describes the city as being in a state of limbo. Soldiers guard the famous Potemkin Stairs, an iconic staircase leading from the city’s grand streets to the port, while barbed wire fences encircle the area. The closure of the port and the ongoing attacks have brought life in Odesa to a standstill.
In conclusion, Odesa’s significance as a vital port city for Ukraine has been highlighted by recent events. The city’s history, diversity, and economic importance make it a prime target for Russia’s military aggression. With its ports closed and infrastructure under attack, Odesa’s future hangs in the balance, as does Ukraine’s ability to export grain and contribute to the global food market.
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