The Ukrainian port of Odessa prepares for war

A CANNON stands pointing out to sea in front of Odessa’s town hall. It is a trophy recovered from the British Royal Navy’s HMS Tiger which, during the Crimean war, ran aground here in 1854 and was then destroyed by the city’s Russian defenders. Inside the town hall, officials are now planning the defence of the Ukrainian city of 1m people, this time from the Russians. In the past week six Russian amphibious assault ships have entered the Black Sea and Odessa’s commercial ports are to be throttled this week as Russia closes maritime access for “exercises”. On February 10th was present as the city’s mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, presided over a meeting of local municipal and defence officials. High on the agenda was replacing defunct Soviet-era air filtration systems in the city’s 353 bomb shelters. German officials have offered help, and the mayor says he is going to ask them for these. American officials have also asked Ukraine’s mayors what they need and Odessa plans to ask for emergency communications equipment. Many officials are making plans in case all telecommunications are cut in the event of war. In the worst-case scenario Odessa’s citizens will be informed of what to do by officials armed with loudhailers and stationed on every block.