Nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Odesa, the country’s largest port city, has come under some of its heaviest attacks yet.

In recent weeks, our partner city of Odesa has faced an intensified wave of drone and missile attacks, damaging homes, ports and critical energy infrastructure and leaving thousands without electricity as winter sets in. 

“We are under the drone attacks, under the bombing, under the rockets—24/7,” shares Oksana Nelina, our Baltimore-Odesa Partnership coordinator. “For Odesa, it’s a new experience…and it’s hard…especially as it gets colder and the days get shorter.”

In this video update, Oksana offers a firsthand look at life on the ground and explains how The Associated continues to stand with Odesa, providing emergency aid, supporting essential services and responding to urgent needs as the situation evolves.