Early today, flames erupted from the empty hotel building in the port of Odessa. The fire spread quickly and eventually the entire building burned down. According to Ukrainian sources, the building had been completely empty for years, so apart from the destruction of the building, the Ukrainians suffered no material loss. No casualties were reported.
️ Results from Russian missile & drone strikes on Ukraines possible Naval HQ️ Word is there were many high ranking foreign and domestic officers located in this building at the time of the strikes. No word on casualties by Ukraine MoD. Will be a bitter, hard pill to https://t.co/yPPpS0BUD3
— Zagonel (@Zagonel85) September 25, 2023
Contrary information is circulating among Russian bloggers. According to some, the headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy moved into the building in recent years.
Revenge for Sevastopol? Former Hotel in Odessa Port Area Unveiled as Ukrainian Navy Headquarters Recent revelations have clarified the identity of the high-rise building in the Odessa port area, initially mistaken for a hotel. Contrary to previous assumptions, this building pic.twitter.com/g4uhdxBgDs
— Zlatti71 (@djuric_zlatko) September 24, 2023
Other sources, also connected to Russia, claim that the building served a different function, that military equipment intended for the Ukrainian front line was regularly hidden here.
New facts about the empty hotel Ukrainian media are disseminating information that the Odessa Hotel, which was hit last night, was abandoned, but photographs found on the Internet indicate otherwise. The footage shows military equipment and ships moored along the coastline. pic.twitter.com/YgZ3fTlyHO
— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) September 25, 2023
It is certain that the building was completely destroyed, so it will not be suitable for any purpose in the future.
Cover image credit: Christopher Occhicone/Bloomberg via Getty Images
