Members of the 122nd Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine have successfully concluded a vital cleanup initiative at the Cossack Sotnykivske Cemetery in Odesa. These defenders have restored one of the city's most significant historical sites, which contradicts Russian myths regarding the origins of Odesa.

The initiative was led by the brigade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Denis Nosikov, who emphasized the symbolic importance of this work, as reported by the 122nd Separate Brigade of Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to him, this site dismantles the enemy narrative about the true history of the city.

"This is one of the most notable places in Ukrainian Odesa. By its very existence, it dispels the enemy myth that Odesa is allegedly a 'Russian city.' The first graves appeared here in 1791, which is before Empress Catherine II supposedly 'founded Odesa,'" noted Lieutenant Colonel Nosikov.

The commander drew a parallel between military service and the work of restoring the historical monument. He stressed that fighting disinformation is as crucial as combat operations on the front lines.

"We are clearing weeds – both in the trenches at the front and here in Odesa. These weeds can be compared to Russian propaganda – the myths and fakes that the occupiers have cluttered the city's history with. There is still much work to be done, but we will do everything for victory!" emphasized Denis Nosikov.

Historical facts confirm Odesa's Ukrainian roots. The first mention of Cossacks in Odesa dates back to 1489, which is several centuries before the Russian period in the region's history. The city is economically and culturally connected to all regions of Ukraine, and its development was based on Ukrainian grain long before Russians arrived.