The Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa in southern Ukraine, damaged in Russian missile strikes, July 23, 2023 (BBC)
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Map: Institute for Study of War
UPDATE 1208 GMT:
The scene at the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, damaged by Russia’s overnight missile strikes….
The priests at the Transfiguration Cathedral in central Odesa, which took a direct hit by a Russian missile overnight, are doing an outdoor service. pic.twitter.com/iDkzJMyZ06
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) July 23, 2023
UPDATE 1014 GMT:
Russia’s Defense Ministry has betrayed its concern about the “significant damage” to Odesa’s Transfiguration Cathedral from this morning’s Russian missile strikes.
The Ministry insisted that the information — including videos, photographs, and witness testimony — about the extensive destruction was “not true”.
It declared that the strikes were “deliberately excluding the defeat of civilian facilities where civilians are located, as well as objects of cultural and historical heritage”.
At least one person has been killed and 22 civilians, including three children,injured. A 17-year-old is in intensive care.
UPDATE 0914 GMT:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has responded to the latest Russian missile strikes on Odesa in the south of the country.
Missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral… There can be no excuse for Russian evil. As always, this evil will lose. And there will definitely be a retaliation to Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation.
All those who… pic.twitter.com/gcpD30BFP1
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 23, 2023
UPDATE 0754 GMT:
The Ukraine Air Force says air defenses intercepted nine of 19 Russian missiles fired overnight, including on the port city of Odesa.
The air force said the Russians used 5 Oniks cruise missiles, 3 Kh-22s, 4 Kalibrs, 5 Iskander-Ks, and 2 Iskander-Ms.
The 4 Kalibrs and 5 Iskander-Ks were intercepted.
During tonight’s missile attack, Russia hit and partially destroyed the Transfiguration Orthodox Cathedral in Odesa
One of the most beautiful churches in the city, it was built in 1794, then blown up by Stalin in 1936, and rebuilt during Independent Ukraine.
Residential houses… pic.twitter.com/49nCznXy2Q— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 23, 2023
UPDATE 0639 GMT:
US officials say the Biden Administration is holding out for now over Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles.
Ukrainian forces have been using UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, with a range of 155 miles, since May. France announced at this month’s NATO Summit that it will deliver its version, SCALP.
Last month, US President Joe Biden shifted his “No” on the supply of ATACMS, the Army Tactical Missile System. He said that the system, with a range of about 200 miles, was “still in play”. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with Biden at the NATO Summit, but no decision had been made.
But “US defense and Administration officials familiar with the issue” said that there has been no change in US policy and no substantive discussion about the missile supply for months.
Pentagon officials say they believe Kyiv has more urgent needs than ATACMS. They are concerned that provision to Ukraine would affect US readiness for other possible conflicts.
On Thursday, Ukraine Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak was asked at the Aspen Security Forum what is at the top of Ukraine’s list of security needs.
He replied, “My answer will be very simple. At this point, it’s very clear and understandable. We need and are waiting for decisions on ATACMS.”
UPDATE 0627 GMT:
Ukrainian officials have provided further information on the “significant damage” to Odesa’s Transfiguration Cathedral by Russia’s early-morning missile strikes.
The cathedral, founded in 1795, is the largest Orthodox church in Odesa. It was closed by the Soviets and destroyed in 1936, but was restored in the early 2000s in Cathedral Square in the historic city center.
“Orthodox shrines suffered: the Kasperovskaya icon of the Mother of God, which is the patroness of Odessa, was pulled out from under the rubble,” the city administration said in a statement.
Archdeacon Andrei Palchuk told Ukraine State media:
The destruction is colossal, it hit the right side and broke through to the lower ground floor. Half of the cathedral was left without a roof. The central piles and the foundation are destroyed. All the windows are blown out.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least one person has been killed and 22 wounded in Russia’s 5th set of missile attacks this week on Odesa in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine National Police posted on Telegram:
On the night of July 22-23, Russian troops launched yet another massive attack on the territory of Odesa city and the region. As of 04:00, it was established that one person was killed and 22 people, including four children, were injured as a result of the enemy shelling.
Officials said civilian infrastructure, apartment blocks, residential buildings, and cars were destroyed or destroyed. Windows were blown out in many houses. A religious building in the city center was damaged by fire.
The Ukraine military’s Southern Command said Russia used at least types of missiles: Kalibr, Oniks, and Kh-22 cruise missiles and Iskander-K and Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
The Russians escalated the overnight missile and drone strikes on Tuesday, hours after Vladimir Putin ripped up the July 2022 grain deal lifting Russia’s blockade on three of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Several civilians, including a married couple, have been killed, and scores have been wounded.
Grain terminals — including one with 60,000 tons of provisions — have been destroyed. The port of Chornomorsk was knocked out of service.
On Saturday, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization condemned the attacks. The historic city center is protected under the World Heritage Convention.
UNESCO said in a statement, “A preliminary assessment in Odesa has revealed damage to several museums inside the world heritage property, including the Odesa Archaeological Museum, the Odesa Maritime Museum, and the Odesa Literature Museum.”
