In the fourth year of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the coastal port city of Odessa is increasingly being targeted. Many Bessarabian Bulgarians live there. One of them is Oleksandr Sereda - a university lecturer at the South Ukrainian Pedagogical University "Konstantin Ushinsky".
He now spends his time between Odessa and Sofia. The reason is not directly related to the fierce Russian attacks on his hometown. In Bulgaria, he is working on his doctorate. He says that there is a huge shortage of academic staff in Ukraine - many fled the country in 2022. However, it is important for him to continue educating his students in Ukraine. "They are tougher than us. We grew up in the Soviet Union. They already know what an independent Ukraine is. They have a future", he says, recalling that he teaches at a pedagogical university. "They will teach the children one day. And I am responsible for them to receive objective information."
Russia wants Odessa?
The intensified attacks on Odessa are nothing new. Oleksandr says that the situation was very difficult back in March. However, in recent months, there has been increasing talk that Moscow has probably set the seaside city as its next key target in its full-scale war. Oleksandr confirms that this topic excites people in Odessa. "There is a lot of talk about this. If they capture Odessa, they can end the war and leave Ukraine as a smaller territory," he says.
The historian recalls that the capture of Odessa is part not only of Russia's strategic plans to cut off Ukraine from access to the Black Sea, but also of the Kremlin's desire to have a land corridor to Transnistria - an enclave of Moldova that Moscow has long claimed it must "liberate".
Psychological pressure that has the opposite effect
Attacks not only against Odessa, but also against other cities in Ukraine have changed recently, notes Oleksandr Sereda. "Before, they hit objects related to critical infrastructure, military facilities and, less often, civilian targets. Now they are shelling without a specific target - only as directions. For example, the city of Odessa - it doesn't matter where the missiles will land. This is already a success for them," he says. "This is not just bombing. This is psychological pressure on the population."
The Bessarabian Bulgarian explains that a Russian missile also hit one of the buildings of the university where he teaches. According to him, the increased number of attacks on civilian targets is related to the talks about a potential peace agreement. "Russia is now mainly attacking us so that it can force Ukraine to reduce its demands for a potential peace." The Kremlin's attempts to exhaust and despair the Ukrainians in order to force them to want peace under any conditions, however, remain unsuccessful, Sereda believes. "However, this consolidates people. They unite in the fact that one should not retreat from the goals. People are increasingly adamant that we must stand up to Russia."
"The salvation of the Bessarabian Bulgarians is connected with the salvation of the entire Ukrainian people"
Oleksandr is disappointed that some people in Bulgaria continue to speak nostalgically about Russia. "I see that people here are captive to Russian propaganda, which was previously successful in Eastern Ukraine," he commented. "I am sorry that Bulgaria could be subjected to such aggression. I wish these people would open their eyes and see the full picture - what is happening with Russia today. They cannot live with some ideology from the 19th century and equate the current situation with it."
Regarding Bulgarian politicians who use the Bessarabian Bulgarians as an excuse for their pro-Russian rhetoric, Oleksandr says that this is definitely not in their defense. "The Bessarabian Bulgarians are seeking protection, yes, but not from the Ukrainian authorities, but from such politicians in Bulgaria who involve them in their propaganda. If they want to help them, they must help the Ukrainian army, the Ukrainian state. The salvation of the Bessarabian Bulgarians is connected with the salvation of the entire Ukrainian people."
"We believe that there will be justice for our country"
Soldiers of Bulgarian origin are also fighting in the Ukrainian army - they are fighting for their homeland Ukraine, says the Bessarabian Bulgarian. For them and for young Ukrainians like his students, salvation has only one face - an end to Russian aggression against them. But they are not ready to pay the price that Russia demands to make peace, Oleksandr is categorical. "We cannot betray ourselves like this. What a memory that would be for these people - dozens, maybe even hundreds of thousands, who died in this war. They died because of us."
Oleksandr continues to live in Ukraine, as do his students. They recently had a session. Despite the long nights in bomb shelters, despite the blows that also struck their loved ones, they do not give up the thought that one day Ukraine will be independent. "There must be an answer to this aggression. Justice must prevail in the world. We believe that there will be justice for our country".
Author: Mina Kirkova