EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Few cities in Ukraine hold as much historic and current importance than the port city of Odesa, which for centuries has been a critical outlet to the Black Sea, and during Russia’s war against Ukraine has been the lone exit point for the country's rich stocks of grain and other exports. It has also been the scene of frequent Russian attacks in the three years since the full-scale invasion.
Since February 2022, Odesa and its surrounding region have been hit by hundreds of Russian missile and drone strikes. These attacks have damaged Odesa’s port infrastructure and cargo ships — which are critical for getting Ukrainian grain exports to countries across Africa and Asia. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure have also been hit; dozens of civilians have been killed in the attacks, and hundreds more injured.
This week a Russian ballistic missile hit a bulk carrier as it was loading wheat bound for Algeria at the Odesa port. Four Syrian nationals were killed, and another Syrian and a Ukrainian were injured. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba called the strike an attack on global food security, saying that "It demonstrates how close this war is to Algeria, Syria, and other countries.”
As with the rest of the country, officials in Odesa are also trying to digest and deal with the recent news from the United States, and the Trump administration’s sharp pivot to a more Russia-friendly stance.
Cipher Brief senior international correspondent Ia Meurmishvili spoke with Oleh Kiper, the Governor of Odesa, about the Russian attacks, the U.S. shift, and the mood of the people.
Their conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
The Cipher Brief: We last spoke in June. What has changed since then?
Kiper: In recent weeks the situation has intensified dramatically, probably due to certain shifts in international policy. Now the enemy is using the opportunity, probably related to the decreased amount of incoming weapons, so they are just using their chance to hit us as hard as possible.
Thanks to the workers and the military, we are trying to respond and recover as quickly as possible. We are trying to recover, and to ensure that the life of the city is at the level that it should always be. We are trying to maintain the status of the city, maintain the livable conditions of the city, thanks to our military and thanks to our repair services. However, there are different types of damage, and it takes a lot of time to repair it all. We are trying to stay strong.
The Cipher Brief: What's the electricity situation now? Do you still have blackouts?
Kiper: Right now in this city, several thousand people have no electricity at all. In recent days, in many locations, people have had no light, no power, no electricity for four or five days in a row.
What we managed to do was recover the systemic heat supply, water supply and sewage system operations just to maintain the sufficient level of life in the city. However, there are still many locations and areas where the blackouts are present.
The destroyed and damaged infrastructure is of course a problem. However, the biggest challenge is that each shelling, each bombardment results in the death of innocent people, adults and children. And that is the biggest challenge we have been facing, throughout these years.
The Cipher Brief: You said that because of the international situation regarding Ukraine and arms shipments, Russia has intensified its bombing. Where do you think this will lead?
Kiper: The negative results of the weapons shortages are obvious. The weapons shortage challenges both the front line and the cities of the whole territory of Ukraine. Because now the enemy can reach any part of Ukraine, any city, any area without any obstacle.
I've just reported to you about the situation with the infrastructure in Odesa. The same is applicable to the whole territory of the country. The enemy is targeting not only the energy supply infrastructure, but also gas supply infrastructure, which results in the systemic destruction of life-supporting infrastructure. Potentially, that can be a force that forces Ukraine to make some decisions which might have negative results.
The Cipher Brief: How are the ports doing? They've been targeted by the Russians since the war started.
Kiper: The ports of the Odesa region — the Odesa Sea Ports, there are three ports here — are the only remaining sea gates of Ukraine as of now. The Mykolaiv and Kherson regions ports are blocked; we are the only part of the sea port infrastructure that remains.
I would personally thank the people that are working in our ports because they do absolutely fantastic things. With over 270 elements of port infrastructure damaged during this war, they continue operations. And actually, we are achieving very good results. For example, the grain turnover for Odesa seaports during this time has now reached the pre-war levels.
Of course, we are facing certain challenges with other types of cargo. But there are some potential benefits. For example, the big French container company CMA CGM is returning to our market, which indicates a better insurance situation and lower insurance risks.
The Cipher Brief: How is the infrastructure itself? Is it fully operational or is some of it out because of the attacks?
Kiper: Some elements of the port infrastructure have been totally destroyed, with no prospect of renewal. However, everything that has been damaged and could be repaired has been repaired as of now, thanks to the effort of both port infrastructure and businesses that want to continue to operate. The situation is challenging, because we are doing everything in a very dynamic way.
The Cipher Brief: Last time we spoke, you were talking about how the Odesa region was open for investments from everywhere. And just now you mentioned that French companies are actively participating in the economic activities in Odessa. Where do you see America's role? Do you have any American businesses that are coming in?
Kiper: I had a meeting with American business. They are already working here at the moment. I should also mention the Odesa Women’s Football Club, the SeaSters, is also sponsored by American Business right here, right now. The American companies that are already working here were encouraging their colleagues. They were encouraging other American companies to enter the Odesa region to start new initiatives, new business, new trends, new working positions because of the possible opportunities and benefits.
The Cipher Brief: Do you feel this current tension between Kyiv and Washington in Odesa? How does that manifest itself here?
Kiper: I will start with a surprise. Probably the surprising news is that during recent weeks, we had even more contacts with American people and American business than ever before during all these three years. This is because we all know, and the American people know – they have known for all this time – that Ukraine is under attack, that Ukraine is challenged by aggression and they are eager to support us and they understand the situation here.
Politicians are there to face global challenges. They are managing some global issues. The surprising thing is that sometimes the contradiction, sometimes the challenge, sometimes the opposition is a platform for mutual understanding and for development of the new outcome.
Nothing has ended. We have found a new way to operate. We will probably find a new way which is good for both of our countries. And of course, each president of each country is always standing for the interests of his own country. And only during this cooperation, only during this communication, can they find a mutual way. In wartime, politeness or diplomacy should stand in second place, while in the first place we should put an end to the killing of people. This is what should be our priority — stop people from dying.
The Cipher Brief: Being in Odesa every day and interacting with your constituents, what's your sense about how Odesans view America now?
Kiper: Most people of Odesa are very grateful for the American people, the American nation and America as a state for their support during these years. Of course, they have disputes about the situation in the Oval Office, the communication between the two presidents, and what would be the result for the city. However, most of them are sure that President Zelensky stands for the interests of Ukraine and does everything possible to maintain its independence. And the same for President Trump - they also think that Mr. Trump supports Ukraine and does everything he can to support its independence.
The Cipher Brief: President Trump has said many times that Ukraine needs to hold new elections and that President Zelensky is not a democratic leader. In fact, President Trump called him a dictator at one point. What do you think, and what are people thinking about elections? Is the country ready?
Kiper: They're speaking a lot about the elections, and some political parties are already preparing for elections. They're starting their agitation. However, I'm a lawyer by my nature and by my education. So I would say the situation is like this: On one hand, elections should be held because it is outlined in our constitutions. The terms of the presidents are expiring, the terms of the supreme council are expiring, and the terms of municipal powers are also expiring, so elections are required. On the other hand, the constitution says that elections require particular conditions, namely the end of the war and the end of the military status, which prevents the holding of any elections. So these are two contradictory things.
Speaking about President Zelensky, I would say that the fact that he remained in the country after the beginning of war, after February of ‘22 when he had an opportunity to flee, he remained here and stood strong with the country supporting it – this actually demonstrates that we are a democratic country. The situation here is unique. It's really hard to compare it to anything else because it is absolutely unique. However, I think that we are a democracy.
We are happy to share our opinion on various reasons regarding the local situation and the situation in other countries. And we are also thankful to the support of all our partners from different countries of the world for their military support, for their other forms of support that enabled us to survive those three years of war, that enabled our military forces to stand strong and to hold the enemy back.
That gives us hope for the future of our children, that our children will be Ukrainians, that they will live in an independent country. First and foremost, I'm inviting you to Odesa as a guest so that you can see everything with your own eyes.
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