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STORY: That was 1941.

The Soviet port town of Odessa was preparing to defend itself against German attacks.

More than 80 years later, as Russian ships circle out to sea, the Ukrainian town is preparing to do so again.

The streets are lined with sandbags and steel anti-tank hedgehogs.

But not everyone thinks an attack is imminent.

“Yeah we’re quite safe because Odessa has a very brave history, you know that here during the fascist (second world) war there was a civil counterforce - not the military but the civilian citizens of Odessa. That’s why, we are very brave, we are not afraid of this.”

The city's mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, says Russia has missed its chance to move on the city, which has now had three weeks to lay defenses and prepare for an attack.

“Still I believe, strongly believe, and it’s a kind of inner conviction, that a Russian attack on Odessa will not happen. Because Odessa is a symbol, a symbol of freedom, it is a symbol, a symbolic city. It's a city that is loved around the world. And the residents of Odessa are peaceful people.”

The assault on Odessa began in July 1941. It took 73 days and 4 assaults for Romanian and German troops to take the city.

Odessa in the 21st century is Ukraine’s third-largest city.

It's cosmopolitan and popular with Russians.

And its citizens are hopeful.

''As many people say, Odessa is well-defended by our forces and I hope to believe that, and I feel quite positive about this.”