In front of the barricade that blocks access to the Odessa opera house, a soldier, his wife and their daughter embrace one another as they reluctantly part ways. It is a sweet scene from the daily life of a city known as "the pearl of the Black Sea" -- still at peace but ready for war, which oscillates between anxious expectation of a Russian attack and the redolence of early spring.

Interested in licensing this video ? Get in touch 👉 http://u.afp.com/UBbQ
N.B.: AFP’s services and content are for professional use only