Odesa is Ukraine's third-largest city and is strategically important to Vladimir Putin. If he can take the city, then he could cut off Ukraine from the sea, which is why it is one of the main targets for the Russian offensive.
Putin's forces are believed to be close by and advancing from the south. There have been reports that Russian warships are along the coast, but not confirmed.Just a few weeks ago everything was just fine in Odesa - the famous cafes were open and the streets were busy.The sandbags made on the beaches are everywhere - blocking doorways, windows and roads. Huge steel crosses, called hedgehogs, have been placed in the roads, designed to stop tanks and military vehicles in their tracks.
Daniel Salem is a national guard soldier who has volunteered to fight. He thinks Odesa can hold back the Russian offensive.
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