Russian missile attack on Odesa kills one and leaves historic cathedral significantly damaged

A lethal Russian air attack has left the historic Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa significantly damaged.

Oleh Kiper, governor of southern Ukraine's Odesa region, said on Telegram: "Odesa: another night attack of the monsters."

Located in southwest Ukraine, Odesa is a seaport on the Black Sea coast located in the Odesa Oblast (province) and has been subject to a number of Russian missile strikes since their invasion.

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It has been reported that at least one person was killed with 22 others being injured as a result of the strike badly damaging the Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Cathedral.

The Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Cathedral, or the Transfiguration Cathedral, is Odesa's largest Orthodox church building. 

It is part of the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church and was consecrated in 1809.

"The Kasperovska icon of the Mother of God, who is the patroness of Odesa, was retrieved from under the rubble," the administration has said.

'Russian evil'

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky posted on Twitter: "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 suffered from this latest terrorist attack are being provided with assistance.

"I am grateful to everyone who is helping people and to everyone who is with Odesa in their thoughts and emotions.

"We will get through this. We will restore peace. And for this, we must defeat the Russian evil."

Importance of Odesa

Odesa was home to around a million people before the full-scale war erupted.

Located in the south of Ukraine, Odesa is on the Black Sea and, if it falls into Russian hands, the whole of the Black Sea coast would belong to Russia.

Sergej Sumlenny, an Eastern Europe expert, told Forces News last year that Odesa is also a "gate to the north".

"If you own Odesa, you actually can go through Ukraine to the north, dividing Ukraine in two halves and there is literally nothing that can stop you."