Italy, Ukraine sign agreement on restoration of Russian-destroyed cathedral in Odesa

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani said this before the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

"Today Italy signed an agreement on the restoration of Odesa Cathedral. Italy will work on the reconstruction," he said.

Tajani noted that the best Italian architects will be involved in the restoration of the cathedral. According to him, this is a clear cultural and political message for Ukraine.

The minister added that Italy wants to support Ukraine and protect international law.

"Of course, we want to achieve peace, but it is impossible to achieve peace without justice. Justice means freedom and independence of Ukraine," the Italian Foreign Minister emphasized.

Destruction of the cathedral in Odesa: what is known

On the night of July 23, the Russian army attacked Odesa. Operational Command South stated that during the missile attack, the enemy hit the Odesa region with at least 5 types of missiles of all types of basing: Kalibr, Oniks, Kh-22 and Iskander-K, and also used ballistic Iskander-M. Air defense units destroyed 9 out of 19 enemy air targets - 4 Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles and 5 Iskander-K land-launched cruise missiles.

During the attack, the Russian forces destroyed the Transfiguration Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in Odesa, and the House of Scientists. In addition to significant damage to the building, Orthodox shrines were damaged: the Kasperovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, the patron saint of Odesa, was pulled from the rubble.

The UNESCO mission announces that it is preparing a report on the damage caused by Russian missile strikes to the World Heritage Site in Odesa for a meeting of the Hague Convention states parties in December.

Already on September 4, Italy announced its readiness to contribute to the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, which was damaged by Russian shelling.