Odessa Holds Day Of Unity March Wondering If War Will Happen
ODESSA, Ukraine
Story and Photos By Robert Thomas
Facing what has been described by Washington as “imminent danger” Ukraine held a national day of unity in defiance of what is seen as major threats by Russia to open a wider war with the fledgling country.
In the Black Sea port City of Odessa (population of just over 1,000,000) over 1,000 people turned out for a 45 minute mid-day march from the heart of the city to the famous Potemkin Stairs overlooking the Black Sea.
Lead by the beat of the drum and chanting - most often Slava Ukraina (Glory To Ukraine) the Odessa March was a flag waving affair wrapped in patriotism in what is seen as the face of Russian aggression.
A drummer led the patriotic flag waving march down the central cobblestone streets in Odessa on Wednesday afternoon - MJ Independent photo
A large portion of the marchers were police, police cadets as well as navy cadets although there was additional a large contingent (just over half) of ordinary Odessites who chose to take part in the march.
A group of navy cadets stand to waive the flag just prior to the march in front of Odessa’s City Garden - MJ Independent photo
More than a few on the march chose to wrap themselves literally in Ukraine’s flag.
More than a few march participants wrapped themselves in Ukraine’s flag - MJ Independent photo
A flag worn with signatures worn by a march participant - MJ Independent photo
The centerpiece of the loud march was a large Ukrainian national flag carried by members of the Odessa Police followed closely by a very large contingent of police cadets.
Police officers held the flag and carried the flag on the parade route - MJ Independent photo
For a working day - as no official holiday had been called by Ukraine’s President Volodymir Zelenskyy - the turnout was strong. Along the route ordinary businesses took their time to salute those marching.
A large flag was the centerpiece of the march down the cobblestone streets in the central district of Odessa - MJ Independent photo
With employees of some businesses having their employees wear yellow and blue ribbons (the colours of Ukraine’s flag) in solidarity.
Other stores on the route stepped outside to welcome the march as it walked by their shops.
Onlooker brings out her sign of support for the march and the country - MJ Independent photo
Probably the largest contingent in the group of marchers were police cadets. With their distinctive K on their shoulder lapels.
Odessa police cadets carried a smaller national flag behind the main large one - MJ Independent photo
Although it was a school day there were a few children amongst the march spectators who showed their support for the marchers with parents.
Children attending some schools were asked to wear their vyshivankas (Ukrainian national shirt for men and boys) because at 10 am they would be standing up to sing Ukraine’s national anthem.
Throughout the country civil servants and schools stood at 10 am to sing the national anthem. Additionally in Odessa a large flag was raised near the airport by officials as the national anthem was sung.
Children watch the march and waive Ukraine’s flag - MJ Independent photo
Although the march was to show support to a unified Ukraine ready to stand up to Russia if war would come to other areas of Ukraine there was a large Belarus contingent and Belarus’ original flag after it became independent from the Soviet Union. There were also chants for Belarus’ freedom and democracy about two-thirds of the way from the start of the march.
Belarus democracy supporters with their white and red flags - MJ Independent photo
Belarus has been criticized for a fraudulent election which also included a massive crackdown of opposition supporters in that country.
Belarus traditional flag and symbol of the Opposition to that country’s present autocratic leadership - MJ Independent photo
The lone incident of dissent or counter demonstration was a lone elderly man who wore a homemade Communist Party symbols and while walking the other way would periodically raise his hand in a Nazi salute at the march.
Opponents of Ukraine’s nationalist far right in Ukraine claim many Ukrainian hardcore nationalists are in fact neo-Nazis.
March opponent gives the Nazi salute to naval cadet students in front of the Odessa Ballet and Opera Theatre - MJ Independent photo
Despite the regalia the older gentleman was wearing and the salute he was periodically giving the march the march continued and paid no attention to his one person counter demonstration.
The march continued on past the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater where it was greeted by a full brass band on the steps of Odessa’s City Hall.
From there it wounds it way down Primorsky Boulevard which follows parallel to the Black Sea to the world famous Potemkin Steps.
The march heading down Primorsky Boulevard - MJ Independent photo
At the Potemkin Steps (made famous by Soviet director’s classic 1925 film “The Battleship Potemkin” the demonstration moved onto the steps where the national anthem was played by a full brass military-style band.
A full brass military-style band - MJ Independent photos
The band played Ukraine’s national anthem followed by many rounds of “Slava Ukraina” or Glory to Ukraine over a megaphone and loud and boisterous responses back from those who participated in the march.
Two of the Odessa march participants at the top of the Potemkin or Odessa Steps - MJ Independent photo
Odessa’s march end with the large Ukrainian flag displayed on the Potemkin Steps - MJ Independent photo
The Odessa march or rally was one of many held across Ukraine today as the country waits to hear whether or not there will be a full-scale war with Russia.
The waiting and worry that has gripped Ukraine continues.
Robert Thomas is the Acting Editor of MJ Independent.
He is presently on a long duration stay in Ukraine as rumours of a major incursion by Russia continue to grip that country.
As an FYI MJ Independent is still being produced.