Italy to Assist Ukraine in Restoring the Cathedral Destroyed by Russian Forces in Odesa

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, announced that her country is ready to participate in the reconstruction of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Ukraine, which suffered damage in a night-time rocket strike by Russian occupying forces. The statement was published on the Italian government's website.

The Head of the Italian Council of Ministers expressed condolences to the families affected by the Russian attack on Odesa and declared Italy's willingness to contribute to the restoration of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral and other cultural heritage treasures in Ukraine, as reported by the Italian Embassy in Ukraine.

"The attacks in Odesa, the loss of innocent lives, and the destruction of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral deeply sadden us," stated Italy's Prime Minister.

Meloni emphasized that Russian forces are destroying grain silos, depriving millions of people of food, and also targeting "our European civilization and its sacred symbols."

"A free nation will not be intimidated, and barbarism will not prevail. Italy, with its unique world-renowned experience in restoration, is ready to join the reconstruction of the cathedral and other cultural treasures of Ukraine," highlighted Giorgia Meloni.

On the night of July 23rd, Russia carried out another massive rocket attack on Odesa, a coastal city in Ukraine whose historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The largest Orthodox cathedral in the city, the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, was among the sites damaged, along with 25 architectural landmarks and residential buildings.

According to the local authorities in Odesa, the Russian military fired 12 missiles of different types at the peaceful city during the night. At least one person was killed, and 22 others were injured, including four children aged 11 to 12 and two 17-year-old teenagers, one of whom is in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

The nocturnal bombardment of Odesa by the terrorist state of Russia has alarmed the international community.

"Russia continues its relentless attacks on people and infrastructure in Odesa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a vital port for global food security. Russia's unwarranted war against Ukraine and its people has had horrifying consequences here. The destroyed cathedral and ruined buildings, along with the burning grain silos, should serve as a reminder of what matters to all," wrote Bridget Brink, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine.

"Russia bombed the center of Odesa. There were no military targets. They just shelled this beautiful Ukrainian city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, because it has ports exporting vital foodstuffs all over the world," stated Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Ukraine.

"The continuous rocket terror of Russia against Odesa, which is under UNESCO protection, is yet another war crime by the Kremlin, destroying the main Orthodox cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site," added Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that Russia must be held accountable for its crimes.