Solidarity in Wartime Odesa

This article is published in collaboration with Rubryka. 

Walking through Odesa’s markets, one can observe that the presence of migrants is deeply embedded in the city’s socio-economic life. In the iconic Privoz market, a 20-year-old youth from Uzbekistan, selling assortments of nuts, honey, and pomegranate, tells me he has been in Odesa for two years. His brother set him up with a job through Turkish-based intermediaries. He is looking forward to going back to Samarkand, saying the war has worn him down. Privoz has been attacked before, and for some, continuing as normal is becoming increasingly challenging. 

Not so, however, for everyone. A Georgian woman gleefully interrupts my conversation with the Uzbek youth. She comes from Abkhazia, a territory in Georgia’s Black Sea region that has seen its share of conflict. "Despite the war, we just carry on," she explained.

Reflecting on the life she built here, she said, "Ukraine is a great country with kind and understanding people; in Odesa especially." With her homeland and Odesa both on the Black Sea, she finds it easy to feel at home here. "We have the same mentality," she added. 

Seller in Privoz Market, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine, 15 July 2025.

According to data from the State Migration Service, Ukraine hosted over 300,000 immigrants in 2023. As of December 2023, Odesa Oblast recorded nearly 40,000 permanent residents and almost 6,000 temporary migrants. This represents roughly 12.9 per cent of all foreign residents in Ukraine, making Odesa the second most popular destination for immigrants after Kyiv. 

A small Vietnamese community has also settled in Odesa. While most Vietnamese nationals have traditionally made their homes in the eastern Kharkiv region, where Vietnamese eateries were a fixture around the Barabashovo market. Odesa now has its own spots in Privoz and Moldavanka. The owner of one of the city’s Vietnamese restaurants shared that he came to Ukraine from Saigon nearly 30 years ago. When the war erupted, he relocated from Kharkiv to Odesa. While he maintains ties with Vietnam, visiting once a year, he said that he wants to stay in Ukraine and, despite the uncertainty, does not have plans to leave. 

Not far from Privoz stands the Arabic Cultural Centre with its white-and-green façade. The centre was founded by the late Adnan Kivan, a Syrian businessman and prominent Odesa public figure known for his extensive charity work.

Arabic Cultural Centre, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine. 16 July 2025.

An on-the-ground staff member of the centre, who wished to remain anonymous, told FairPlanet that its doors remained open throughout the war, despite many other similar institutions having to shut down at the beginning of the invasion. "Everyone left, we strayed here, so did Kivan", said the staff member who is also of Middle Eastern origin. He further explained that during the war, they assisted by distributing food and other necessities to approximately 700 people several times a month, adding that everyone is welcome to visit the centre regardless of their background or beliefs.

Arabic Cultural Centre - Quran in Ukrainian. 16 July 2025.

"We had some resources, and we helped people simply for the sake of Allah. We also helped families who came from other cities. Many didn’t even know who was left when they arrived, but seeing others here made it easier for them."

Reflecting on the effect the war had, he said, "We live like everyone else. There is anxiety, but things are better. Some people who left have returned, especially those who had businesses or were studying here."

People who have passed through the centre’s gate come from all different backgrounds. Some are from the Caucasus region and Central Asia. Within the premises of the mosque, Crimean Tatars may be engaging with Ukrainian converts, as well as others from Middle Eastern nations. 

Migrants as community leaders 

Leaving downtown, I reached Molodi Square, on Odesa’s less privileged outskirts. Behind off-white walls, a line forms - mostly elderly people - waiting to enter a mosque courtyard for a free meal. Hamza Issa, originally from Palestine, is the director of the Al-Masar Islamic Cultural Centre.

Hamza Issa on the interior entrance of Al Masar centre. 18 July 2025.

Issa has lived in Ukraine for over 30 years. He described Odesa as a gateway market city where people from the region come to try their luck. Diasporas, he said, arrive from as far as Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The war, however, has disrupted this movement. Still, many stayed "because they love Ukraine and wanted to stay in their homes and keep their businesses."

People collecting their meals from volunteers stopped to chat with him and exchanged smiles. Issa is a pillar of the community, respected by Ukrainians and foreigners alike. "Our focus has shifted toward Ukrainian society itself. We are addressing urgent needs, most critically, hunger," he explained.

"We’re also confronting psychological struggles by offering seminars, support and even community rituals like weddings or prayers for fallen soldiers."

He added that they help IDPs, orphanages, people with disabilities, pensioners and anyone else in need - regardless of their background. "We distribute aid with joy and love. We help as much as we can - even in difficult times and cold weather."

Issa explained that it all started with 70 portions in the mosque courtyard during Friday prayers. "People appreciated it, and we prepared the meals with care. Now, we’re distributing 700 portions. The food is good, from the heart, and even the packaging has improved. It’s done with dignity and respect, and people are truly grateful."

Issa further noted that finding sponsors is particularly difficult. Still, he explained, many former students and residents remain loyal to Ukraine. "Many of us understand the impact of war and have experienced it ourselves. For example, support comes from places like Palestine. Those who help have personal ties to this country - they remember and respect it."

Issa’s wife, Tanzila Issa, who is chair of the Al-Masar Women’s Department, moved quickly throughout the service to ensure everything ran smoothly and that everyone was served a container of freshly cooked food. That day, it was plov, a popular Central Asian dish and a staple in many post-Soviet homes.

Once the crowd dispersed, Tanzila headed to a quieter area of the building, which is reserved only for women and children. Tanzila is a Ukrainian Tatar, and alongside her husband, she has dedicated herself to community service. 

She said visitors to the centre come from various backgrounds. Ukrainian women who’ve converted to Islam, and families from Crimea, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and beyond. They run classes that are attended by approximately 25 women regularly. When asked about the war’s impact on female migrants, Tanzila Issa said many men who obtained citizenship have either left to avoid mobilisation or are already serving in the army, leaving businesses and families behind. 

"Women have stepped up. If you visit the markets, you’ll see many of them running stalls, either alone or with their husbands."

Hamza and Tanzila Issa in Al Masar Cultural Centre. 18 July 2025.

Stories like the Issa family demonstrate how migrants are stepping up as community leaders. At the centre, I met volunteers - Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis, Crimean Tatars, and Ukrainians - working side by side with a single purpose. As Issa put it, it is heartening to see people supporting one another. "We unite with kindness, and that’s what keeps us going."

A haven in Odesa 

Some migrants have arrived in Odesa recently after leaving regions closer to the front lines. The Vietnamese restaurant owner is one example: he left Kharkiv after daily Russian attacks.

Hamza Issa and his family have done the same, twice. Until 2014, before the occupation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, they lived in Donetsk, then moved to Zaporizhzhia for safety. By 2025, parts of Zaporizhzhia were under Russian occupation, and the nearby nuclear plant posed a constant threat, forcing many to leave. Since March 2022, the Issa family has made Odesa their home, continuing to feed people in need just as they did in Zaporizhzhia, where they organised free meals in the park outside the railway station with a team of volunteers.

Tanzila Issa reiterated that safety is people’s biggest concern. "This war is affecting not just adults, but children too - their mental and physical health. Many families have already left, some are still deciding, and others are staying as long as possible, especially in cities like Odesa, where people still hope they won’t have to flee. I just hope it ends soon."

Despite ongoing challenges, including job loss, displacement, financial hardship, and caring for children or the elderly, Odesa’s community, including the migrants, remains resilient.

The staff at the Arabic Cultural Centre noted that the war has made life difficult, but emphasised the strong sense of mutual support and solidarity among those who stayed. "People find each other and provide moral strength," they said.

As many are determined to stay, Hamza said, "Ukraine is a democratic, free country that respects those who follow its laws. Many immigrants have built successful lives here. We are grateful for the opportunities it offers and saddened by the war."

Images by Eleftheria Kosta.