site.btaOdesa Marks Four Years of War in Ukraine

The fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine was honoured with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cossack Cross monument at the Tairovskyi city cemetery on Tuesday.

Families of fallen soldiers, veterans, representatives of the regional authorities, clergy and the consuls general of Bulgaria, Turkiye, Romania and Poland attended the event.

Head of the Odesa City Military Administration Serhiy Lysak said in his speech that Ukraine seeks peace and is working with international partners to ensure it is lasting and just. He added that the joint prayer for Ukraine has become a symbol of unity, gratitude, and unwavering faith that peace is drawing near.

According to the Odesa City Council, since the start of the war, Russian forces have attacked Odesa 193 times. City Council data shows that 2025 was the most severe year, with 75 strikes on the city resulting in 145 civilian deaths. Another 635 people, including 32 children, have sustained injuries of varying severity, the Odesa City Council website says. Overall, attacks damaged 245 cultural heritage sites, including 127 residential buildings.