Josep Borel made a surprise visit to Odessa today, with the European Union’s foreign policy chief seeing first-hand the damage caused by Russian attacks on this Ukrainian Black Sea port city.

The city’s historic center and Transfiguration Cathedral were severely damaged by Russian bombing in July. Port infrastructure – critical to Ukrainian grain exports – has also been hit by Russian attacks.

During his visit to the Transfiguration Cathedral, Borel described the Russian attack on the city as “barbaric”.

“This is a typical example of how Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine,” Borrell pointed out, pointing to ruins behind him.

The European diplomat also expressed his regret that a year has passed since Moscow’s illegal annexation of four provinces in southern and eastern Ukraine.

He vowed that Europe would not abandon Ukraine in its bitter war to retake these provinces, underlining the need for further military, economic, political and diplomatic support.

Borel’s trip was not announced in advance for security reasons. No further details were given on the agenda of his visit.