On the night of September 25, 2023, the Russian armed forces carried out an aerial attack with missiles and drones on Odessa. As a result of the enemy's massive attack, the seaport and a hotel were completely destroyed. A pre-trial investigation has been initiated into the criminal proceedings regarding violations of laws and customs of war.
This information was provided by the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
"The objects of port infrastructure, grain storage facilities, storage premises of a private enterprise, and several private houses in the suburbs of Odessa suffered damage. The Odessa seaport and a nearby hotel were significantly destroyed. Information about casualties is being clarified, and the debris is being cleared. The full list of destruction and damage is being determined," the statement reads.
The hotel complex "Odessa" (formerly "Kempinski") was built in 2001 on 6a Primorsky Street (the territory of the Odesa Port seaport). According to statements from the port management, the hotel was constructed as co-ownership (80% owned by the state, with the port as the balance holder, and 20% owned by a private company) during the period from 1999 to 2001.
The hotel was a 19-story building with a total area of 26,842 square meters and had approximately 160 rooms.
In June 2011, the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office announced the initiation of a criminal case against officials of the Odesa Sea Commercial Port and LLC "Hotel Odessa" due to suspicion of illegal leasing of the hotel building. In the same year, the hotel ceased operations.