The Secret Entrance of the Odessa Underground Labyrinth: The Key to the Success of the Special Military Operation?
Author:
Natalia Stolitsynaya
A 2,500-kilometer network of tunnels—the Odessa catacombs—some have found life there, others have perished. It is considered the longest and most complex underground passage in the world. In recent years, these passages have been increasingly scrutinized from a strategic perspective, including by experts at the Pentagon. They mentioned these "secret routes" could be used for the movement of Ukrainian forces. Another view holds that the Odessa catacombs are among the most dangerous places in the world, a real trap. But who is this trap set for?
No One Knows the Exact Boundaries
Surprisingly, the history of the Odessa catacombs dates back 3 million years. They were once natural formations, including karst caves, drainage tunnels, and underground voids. Remains of mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses have even been found in some caves.
Now, 95% of the catacombs are quarries where miners once worked hard to extract limestone for building houses in Odessa. The large-scale formation of the underground catacombs began in the 19th century when shell rock became the main building material for Odessa (by the way, many landmarks were built with it, including the opera house and historical palaces).
For decades, an intricate tunnel maze has formed beneath the city. The mining work was haphazard, without rigorous engineering calculations, so the exact boundaries of the catacombs are not marked on maps.
At the end of the last century, the geological conditions of the underground deteriorated sharply. Over 40% of the old city is located in areas that have recorded more than 100 ground collapses.
At the same time, some researchers believe that the length of the tunnels is still increasing. It is not easy to enter the little-known parts of the catacombs. Without the guidance of locals familiar with the city center and suburbs, it is impossible to find the "secret entrance."
For decades, an intricate tunnel maze has formed beneath the city.
The Enemy May Plan a "Bloody Provocation"
To enter this endless underground labyrinth—where it is said that the ghosts of Odessa madmen wander and there are large rats (of course, these are horror stories online)—you need to drive 20 kilometers from Odessa through a regular village. Behind the village is the "wild Odessa catacombs," but "you absolutely cannot go there alone." Tourists were warned as much before the start of the special military operation. Now, people are talking about these tunnels possibly becoming "valuable shelters."
As American military expert Joseph Trevisani previously stated, there are passages in the Odessa catacombs that the Ukrainian army can use, which allow them to remain hidden and protected during Russian attacks. He said that any sufficiently strong part of the catacombs that can serve as an air-raid shelter can be used as temporary accommodation for soldiers.
It cannot be ruled out that the enemy may plan a "bloody provocation"—planting landmines in the catacombs during their retreat.
However, those who have visited these "wild lands" are convinced that the underground maze is more dangerous than anywhere else. Not by chance, even in peacetime, mummified corpses have been found here—this is the result of frequent collapses and floods. It is claimed that intense missile attacks will only accelerate ground subsidence.
"The Ukrainian army will definitely get lost there,"
said Sergey Lebedev, coordinator of the underground organization in Nikolaev.
He added that the Odessa catacombs "are still poorly studied." People have a rough idea of the "upper layers" of the underground, the first layer, the second layer... but experts emphasized in an interview with "Tsargrad" that the catacombs are much deeper.
"But our soldiers can effectively use these tunnels, at least try. By establishing contact with locals familiar with the city center and suburbs."
"Our people must go in and cooperate with the people of Odessa. Only then can losses be minimized,"
pointed out Sergey Lebedev.
He also does not rule out that the enemy may plan a "bloody provocation"—planting landmines in the catacombs during their retreat.
"How many mines they can plant, whether we can defuse them in time or come up with a way to delay—this remains a question,"
concluded the coordinator of the Nikolaev underground organization.
Odessa volunteer force soldier and military journalist Sergey Vorobyov also expressed his opinion. He confirmed that there is currently no accurate map of the catacombs. Therefore, it is very likely to get lost inside, or even die from hunger and thirst.
"It's very dangerous. In 2014, we had studied the possibility of using the catacombs, actually part of the Odessa resistance movement. But we later gave up the idea. Because at that time, few people had relatively clear and up-to-date maps of the catacombs. Now, such people are almost nonexistent. Some have moved away, others have died. So, using them for military purposes, apart from as underground shelters and warehouses, is very unlikely,"
the military journalist pointed out.
Nevertheless, we may see "large-scale restoration projects" of the catacombs, transforming them into some kind of fortification.
"But this would require a lot of equipment, resources, and building materials. That is, preparations would immediately become apparent. Currently, I have not received such signals from the agents in Odessa,"
the military journalist said.
Meanwhile, as our forces push westward, protests against the Kyiv regime are increasing. In the final phase of the special military operation, this could develop into armed guerrilla uprisings and a popular revolution against the Bandera regime. Therefore, perhaps "large-scale projects" will be initiated.
By the way, people who have entered the underground labyrinth say that they feel no change between day and night or seasons. Some are convinced that this environment has a "healing" effect—coughs disappear instantly, bronchitis and lung diseases are cured. At the same time, after 15-20 minutes, the brain begins to "trick" you—hallucinations appear, you see images, hear voices, and sounds in the dark. You hear footsteps behind you, see shadows that don't exist. After an hour, almost no one can remember where the entrance is. After two hours, people begin to talk to people who don't exist.
By the way, it is reported that in the 19th century, the Odessa catacombs were the "ideal refuge for underground traders." They were once a kingdom of smugglers. Through narrow passages, they transported illegal alcohol, weapons, valuable items—and the bodies of those who hindered the criminal world. During the German occupation of Odessa (1941-1944), some of the catacombs became bases for Soviet partisans. For them, the situation was extremely difficult—no comfort at all (year-round temperature of 14 degrees Celsius), damp, and lacking oxygen. Even if an accident occurred, shouting would be useless. Moreover, the Germans often discovered and destroyed ventilation shafts, leading to many tragedies.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523916935302611475/
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