The de-Russification of Odesa

Odesa, the Pearl of the Black Sea, is the most Russian of all Ukrainian cities. It was founded by carina Catherine the Great in 1794 who renamed the region New Russia.
Most of its citizens speak Russian and many streets are named after historical Russian figures and Russian cities. You also find the occasional Soviet symbols in the city.
A large part of the population was very pro-Russian since Ukrainian independence, but the war has changed everything. Odesans have started a campaign to de-Russify the city.
Our story for NOS.