Siege of Odesa

Romanian forces, supported by Germany, surrounded Odesa after the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union. Soviet troops and sailors held the port for more than two months.

The defenders were evacuated to Crimea when the wider strategic position became untenable. Axis occupation was followed by mass violence against civilians, particularly Jewish residents.

The Diamond Eye places Lyudmila Pavlichenko's early wartime service within the defence of Odesa.