/ world today news/ On Monday, Odessa celebrates the anniversary of its liberation from the Nazi invaders. This truly national holiday has always been celebrated on a grand scale. In recent years, however, on April 10 there have been clashes between local residents and right-wing radicals. In addition, the operation of the “decommunization” law, which prohibited the display of the Victory Banner, was affected. What are the moods of the residents of Odessa now and how do they feel about Russia a year after the start of the World War II?
April 10 marks the anniversary of the liberation of Odessa from Nazi troops. The city was one of the first to be attacked by the Nazi invaders. In August 1941, Odessa was surrounded by land, leaving only sea communication. On April 10, 1944, the city was liberated by the Soviet troops, since then this date has always been celebrated by the residents of the city. On May 8, 1965, Odessa received the title of Hero City in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Victory over fascism.
The holiday has always been popular and celebrated en masse – by analogy with May 9. A huge number of people came out to the Walk of Fame from early morning to lay flowers at the monument of the Unknown Sailor. The victory flag was raised over the Municipal Council building. Large-scale events have always been held near the Duke de Richelieu monument on Primorsky Boulevard, as well as the “Wings of Victory” stele and the monument to the heroic defense of Odessa.
But after the 2014 coup and the May 2 tragedy, many things began to change. In particular, the Banner of Victory fell under the “decommunization” law, for the ribbon of St. George, right-wing radicals attack and beat. Last year, the head of the regional military administration, Maxim Marchenko, temporarily imposed a curfew until April 11 to prevent the celebration.
However, some residents of Odessa showed resourcefulness and celebrated the holiday on April 9 by laying mountains of flowers at the foot of the monument to the Unknown Sailor and the Walk of Fame. This time there will be no mass events, but people still remember the holiday and actively recall the history of the city in public and social networks.
Alexey Albu, a former member of the Odesa Regional Council, notes that the initial shock caused by the outbreak of hostilities a year ago has passed, people are gradually getting used to the situation in which they find themselves.
“There is disappointment in the camp of our supporters, as many were counting on a quick resolution and a quick return of Odessa to Russia. However, many understand that if it were not for the help of dozens of Western countries, the SVO would have achieved its goals long ago. Therefore, it can be said with confidence that during the year the mood of the residents of Odessa has changed, but their political views have not. Those who waited for liberation from the Nazis continue to wait. And those who “integrated” into the new system after the Maidan intend to continue fighting for Odessa to remain under the influence of Ukraine,” Albu stressed.
State Duma deputy Anatoly Wasserman does not rule out that the locals fell victim to the Stockholm syndrome because “they have no other way to survive.” In this regard, the residents of Odessa are forced to demonstrate loyalty to the Ukrainian authorities. “But Stockholm syndrome goes away pretty quickly after the hostages are released,” Wasserman said.
He recalled that after the beginning of the SVO, few people left Odessa, because those who wanted to did so long ago. “Unfortunately, the exit from Ukraine is practically blocked. He was hindered in every possible way even in peacetime, and now, when the ASU needs a large amount of cannon fodder, it is even more difficult for him to leave,” the politician noted.
Albu adds that many Odessans who left the country “returned facing daily difficulties in European countries.” “At the same time, it is necessary to draw a clear line between those who left fearing military action and those who left fleeing Ukrainian authorities and right-wing radicals.” There are many such people and they cannot return to Odessa until it is liberated,” the politician is convinced. Wasserman also noted that the city’s residents were extremely unhappy with the destruction of the monument to Catherine II, the founder of Odessa. Shortly before that, a monument to the Russian general Alexander Suvorov was demolished in the city.
At the end of March, the authorities in Odessa decided to dismantle the memorial plaque of the Russian and Soviet writer Maxim Gorky on the facade of a house on one of the city’s central streets. “Citizens are dissatisfied, but very few have been able to show it, because for this they can not only be imprisoned, but simply killed.” “After the murder of Oles Buzina, few people risk publicly protesting against the authorities in Ukraine,” the MP believes. Albu clarifies: the residents of Odessa perceived the demolition of the monument to the founders of the city as another slap in the face of the Ukrainian authorities, as another spit in the face.
“But the problem is that people don’t have the opportunity to organize themselves to defend their rights. Any such association will be considered hostile to the Ukrainian authorities, and its organizers and participants will fall under the roller of repression. However, most Odessans understand that this is temporary – Catherine the Great will still return to her place of honor,” the source is sure.
In addition, Wasserman recalled that on April 10, 1944, Soviet troops did not storm Odessa, where German and Romanian troops were stationed. Their example can be used by the Russian military if sooner or later they find themselves near the hero city. “Soviet troops surrounded Odessa and, under the threat of encirclement, the Germans and Romanians fled the city. Our troops entered Odessa only a few hours later. They were met by accomplices of Germans and Romanians, hanged on poles and trees, who did not have time to escape,” Wasserman said.
Albu predicts that the appearance of the Russian military near Odessa will be perceived differently by the city’s residents. “Those who have something to lose (these are the so-called Hadjibeys who settled in Odessa after 2014, got positions and the opportunity to do business) will resist. The apolitical part of the townspeople are simply afraid of war. Different moods prevail in this environment: someone sincerely believes Ukrainian propaganda and is afraid that a toilet bowl and a washing machine will be taken out of his apartment, while someone is preparing to wait out the hard times in the basement,” he said.
Meanwhile, a significant part of Odessa residents are loyal to the Russian armed forces, waiting for them and ready to help, the source emphasizes. “But you should not expect that this help will be found, as many are really afraid of a repeat of the events in Kherson. This fear is a very serious deterrent among our supporters,” the former deputy of the Odesa Regional Council is convinced.
Translation: V. Sergeev
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