Russian drone strike damages Odesa synagogue and Jewish charity hub

A Russian drone strike has caused significant damage to a synagogue and Jewish community centre in the Ukrainian city of Odesa, destroying essential aid supplies and injuring a security guard.

The Wednesday night strike directly hit a building housing Tikva’s office, located opposite the Great Choral Synagogue, engulfing the office building in flames and leaving it beyond repair.

Footage from the scene shows extensive internal damage to the synagogue, including to the aron kodesh, alongside hundreds of food packages ruined by glass and debris. The supplies had been prepared by Tikva for weekly distribution to vulnerable members of the local Jewish community.

The synagogue serves as a central hub for religious life, welfare support and education in Odesa, making the impact particularly severe for those who rely on its services.

Odesa, a port city approximately 275 miles south of Kyiv, is home to an estimated 40,000 to 45,000 Jews, according to Tikva. The organisation is also supporting more than 1,000 refugees who have relocated to Bucharest since the war began in 2022.

Karen Bodenstein, UK CEO of Tikva, said: “This news is devastating. The synagogue is not just a place of worship; it is a hub of support, resilience, and community gathering. To see it damaged again and essential food supplies destroyed, it’s heartbreaking. Despite this, our commitment remains unwavering. We will rebuild, restock, and continue our vital work.”

Rafael Kruskal, CEO of Tikva, said the strike echoed historic attempts to suppress Jewish life in the city.

“The attack by Russians on a vibrant and active Jewish synagogue, which was closed for 80 years during the communist era, is a second attempt by the Russians, once through communism and this time through bombing and terror to force Jewish life in Odesa to discontinue,” he said.

“The Russians were unsuccessful the first time, and we promise they will be unsuccessful again. We pledge to rebuild Odesa to become even bigger and stronger than before the attack.”

Emergency efforts are already underway to resume operations, with Tikva working to restore services and replace lost supplies as quickly as possible.

The organisation said it remains committed to ensuring continued support for vulnerable community members despite the ongoing threat of attacks.

To donate to Tikva’s emergency appeal, click here.