Soldiers of the 122nd Separate Brigade of Ukraine's Territorial Defense have successfully concluded a cleanup initiative at the Cossack Sotnykivske Cemetery in Odessa. These defenders revived one of the most significant historical sites in the region, which dispels Russian myths about the city’s origins.
The initiative was led by Brigade Commander Lieutenant Colonel Denys Nosikov, who emphasized the symbolic importance of this work, as reported by the 122nd Separate Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to him, this site dismantles the enemy narrative regarding the true history and character of Odessa.
"This is one of the most notable places in Ukrainian Odessa. Its very existence contradicts the enemy myth that Odessa is supposedly a 'Russian city.' The first graves appeared here in 1791, long before Empress Catherine II supposedly 'founded Odessa,'" noted Lieutenant Colonel Nosikov.
The commander drew a parallel between military service and the work of restoring this historical site. He emphasized that the fight against misinformation is as crucial as combat operations on the front lines.
"We are clearing weeds — both in the trenches and in Odessa itself. The weeds here can be compared to Russian propaganda — the myths and fakes that the occupiers have cluttered the city's history with. There is still much work to be done, but we will do everything for victory!" stressed Denys Nosikov.
Historical facts confirm Odessa's Ukrainian roots. The first mention of Cossacks in this region dates back to 1489, which is several centuries before the Russian period in the area's history. The city is economically and culturally linked to all regions of Ukraine, and its development was based on Ukrainian grain long before Russians arrived here.
