(ODESA, UKRAINE) – A prominent Russian media figure has publicly questioned the justification for an offensive on Odesa, citing the high human and material costs involved. Yulia Vityazeva, who previously worked for the Solovyov channel promoting aggressive military action in Ukraine, gave an interview in which she acknowledged that capturing Odesa could prove too costly for Russia.
Vityazeva, a native of Odesa and Ukrainian citizen, previously advocated for Russian advances into Ukrainian territory. In her recent statements, she suggested that calling for the capture of her hometown is no longer morally justified given the scale of losses Russia has already incurred. She highlighted the toll on soldiers and civilians alike, noting that every metre of occupied territory comes at a severe human cost.
Her comments mark a shift from previous rhetoric in which Russian propagandists claimed rapid victories would be possible, asserting minimal casualties. Vityazeva cited significant battlefield losses, including reports of thousands of Russian soldiers killed in locations such as Bakhmut, and admitted that earlier claims of low casualties were misleading.
She also reflected on her personal ties to Odesa, describing a conflict between her family connections and her previous support for Russian attacks. Vityazeva revealed she has ceased communication with her father, who remains in Odesa, due to the ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, which disproportionately affect elderly residents during winter.
The interview has revealed an awareness among some Russian commentators of the human and moral costs of the war in Ukraine. Vityazeva acknowledged that historical claims of Russian entitlement to Ukrainian territory, including Odesa, are secondary to the practical consequences of continued military operations.
