Ukraine: On the ground as Odessa braces for Russian attack

People in Ukraine’s southern city of Odessa have been preparing for war for some time.

Recent missile strikes were confirmation that Putin has his sights set on the strategically important port city.

Claire Sadler spoke to Emile Ghessen, a former Royal Marine and independent documentary maker, who is in Odessa.

[florencioxatruch]

If you are In Odessa please get out! They are getting ready to leave it like Mariupol

[arranhorron]

went to odessa in 2018 and 2019 its a beautiful place my apartment was just below the gates of the city garden i really miss not being able to get back its very bad thinking bout it climbing the potemkin stairs and looking accross the black sea is one of the most wonderful experiences i ever had

[vickithomas]

I love Odesa ..I lived and worked the Texas a teacher of english at university 1978 1980...I got married there..it means a lot to me it's a very lovely special place. Let's hope to God it doesnt get really damaged. Sending prayers to all people there xxxx

[leeneon]

Been to Odessa old town beautiful city, walked whole beach front, large wooded area, several times, big hill before you hit the beaches, push biked it, Odessa people good people.

[jeffreyhillmeyer]

I have been there twice. Last year in October and again in December-January. My fiancee lives there. I need to get her out of there but unfortunately it is increasingly difficult for her to leave now. I was to return about a month ago to plan her return with me. God help us! We were planning to be married in June. I just hope I can get her out of there before it becomes a disaster. It's truly a shame because I had hoped to have a place there in Odessa for us to live part of the year. Now it seems like it's impossible. Mary Queen of Heaven protect Odessa and truly all of those beautiful brave people fighting for democracy and a free way to live the life they choose.

[chrispza]

1:41 is a great indicatof of the citizens of Odessa's attitude. :-)

[КириллМирченко]

Russian city Odessa is a Russian city founded by the Russian Empress Catherine the Great.

[pip]

It was sad to see someone still caring for the flowers... let's hope that Russia stops this senseless killing spree soon, it's such a barbaric situation.

[johanswart]

HAVE BEEN IN ODESSA..AMAZING LOVING, KIND PEOPLES..HUMBLE..JUST WANT FEEEDOM..LIKE ALL OF US..ISNT IT??GUYS..PREY HARD FOR THEM..OK..??LOVE U ALL

[wilfredbanks]

Odessa can only experience Putin's bombardments, but can never be captured, please note. I don't agree with your reports. Visit the battlefield, Ukrainian warriors are inside and around Odessa.
W.B.A

[RobBCactive]

Let's hope Ukraine is getting some serious training help, including pilots hush hush.
Lost ground needs to be recovered and then the vast extent of the Russian war crimes will be clear.

[andreajarmayova]

Odessa is such a beautiful seaside city, as I could see via you tube video - God, please, save Odessa ! 😇

[duncanstewart]

With a 100 Euro drone anyone can film up at a thousand feet altitude ASL and see up to 20 nautical miles ( 40, 000 yards ) at sea. The Neptune missile has a range of up to 180 nm. An amphibious landing would be a disaster, with so many rivers running north to south, that lead to the Black Sea. East to West invasion? Plan on months to take Odessa.

[pablonosnothing.]

The new missals will be a BIG surprise for the russian's, Slava Ukraine.

[ThisPartIsAndrew]

👋🇺🇦🪔 Keep talking about it, bring it up with the people you meet throughout your day, and don't give up the good fight! We, the united free citizens of the world are a beacon of liberty, and a bastion of democracy, and we, with the world alongside, have a responsibility to protect. The responsibility to protect (R2P) is an international norm that seeks to ensure that the international community never again fails to halt the mass atrocity crimes of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. 🚜🇺🇦🗣️

[debbieharris]

No strike this time, because Russian weapon got derailed somewhere, where the train carries weapon to supply the Russian Army's on the way to Ukraine, , the trained carries the weapon, went off the tracks. So Russian soldiers low of weapon... So this is the chances of Ukrainian's army's to attack Russian Army's. While they have no supplies of weapon coming out yet.

[felipeochavillo]

Very nice to live in Odessa ; mariupol or donbaas like new year every love to heard bombing & explosions & at the end the Invaders was falling defeated & surrenders to the small units force who silently facing feirce battles after the smoke going down the small units last men standing & the Victor's !!!

[hdilifanigav]

Is It me or that guy is really greenscreened there?

[MrGolov-teeb]

Denazification can’t come quick enough.

[categories]

Please just surrender Odessa! Putin will not give up Odessa, it would be a tragedy if such a beautiful city is destroyed like Mariupol.