A new mural has been unveiled on the Tešchin Bridge in Odesa, becoming a vivid symbol of resilience and resistance against Russian aggression. The artist portrayed Cossack Mamai not in a traditional sense, but as a modern Ukrainian warrior.
According to the National Resistance Center, the work was created by artist Mykhailo Skop, who crafted a powerful visual representation of Ukrainian struggle. In the Cossack's hands is a trident, while shadows of Cossacks who once stormed Khadjibey are depicted nearby. Beneath the hero's feet lies the Moscow Leviathan, defeated by the symbols of Odesa and Ukraine.
The mural is part of the "Resistance Murals" series. This is the third such mural in the city, speaking of Ukrainian resistance.
"The new mural in Odesa – Cossack Mamai has returned to inspire resistance," it is stated on the National Resistance Center's Facebook page.
The project organizers emphasize the significance of this work: "This is not just a folkloric hero. This is the image of a modern Ukrainian warrior." The artist combined historical memory with the contemporary context of the struggle for independence.
Particular attention is drawn to the details of the composition. The shadows of Cossacks who stormed Khadjibey remind us of Odesa's heroic past when the city was captured by Ukrainian warriors. The depiction of the Moscow Leviathan under the Cossack's feet symbolizes victory over the enemy.
"For memory is a weapon," the project authors state, highlighting the importance of historical consciousness in contemporary struggle.
The "Resistance Murals" series aims not only to beautify the urban landscape but also to boost the fighting spirit of Odesa's residents and remind them of Ukraine's heroic history. Each mural becomes part of the cultural front in the war against Russian aggression.
"Odesa speaks the language of the streets – and each of these images strikes at the enemy," the project organizers conclude.
