Accessibility links

Subscribe
All RFE/RL sites
site logo site logo
Previous Next
Breaking News
Ukraine

Mariupol: Life In The Occupied City of Rubble

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on April 21 the "liberation" of the port city of Mariupol a "success." The strategically important port city is now under Russian control. With many residential areas destroyed and an economy in shambles, it is a struggle for survival for its estimated 100,000 war-weary residents, who face an uncertain future. With its survivors forced to queue for water and food, Mariupol no longer resembles a thriving European city.

Writing on his Telegram channel on May 12, an adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andryushchenko, cited Russian figures detailing how only 9,610 residents had received food that day. "I think this is a clear enough answer to the question of whether there is enough food in the city and whether the occupiers feed the people," he said.

If Russia keeps control of Mariupol, it would provide it with a land corridor between Crimea and the Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region.

A cross from a church is seen against the backdrop of ongoing Russian shelling of the Azovstal steelworks on May 10. 
1 A cross from a church is seen against the backdrop of ongoing Russian shelling of the Azovstal steelworks on May 10. 
A resident sits in a shattered courtyard on May 12. Ukrainian news site 0629.com.ua reported on May 12 that Russia expected an outbreak in cholera in Mariupol due to the lack of clean water and poor sanitary conditions.
2 A resident sits in a shattered courtyard on May 12. Ukrainian news site 0629.com.ua reported on May 12 that Russia expected an outbreak in cholera in Mariupol due to the lack of clean water and poor sanitary conditions.
Employees from the local separatist-controlled government clear rubble from the Mariupol theater on May 12. An AP investigation estimated that 600 civilians died when Russia attacked the theater while it was being used as a bomb shelter.  
3 Employees from the local separatist-controlled government clear rubble from the Mariupol theater on May 12. An AP investigation estimated that 600 civilians died when Russia attacked the theater while it was being used as a bomb shelter.

 
Workers clear rubble from a residential area on May 12. 
4 Workers clear rubble from a residential area on May 12. 
Workers use a crane to remove a body from a destroyed building on May 12. Thousands of civilians are believed to have died from the Russian onslaught, with many bodies still lying underneath the rubble.
5 Workers use a crane to remove a body from a destroyed building on May 12. Thousands of civilians are believed to have died from the Russian onslaught, with many bodies still lying underneath the rubble.
A man sits in an armchair outside a damaged residential building on May 12. After surviving months of shelling, residents must contend with queuing for limited water and food in the occupied city.
6 A man sits in an armchair outside a damaged residential building on May 12. After surviving months of shelling, residents must contend with queuing for limited water and food in the occupied city.
Mariupol residents queue for water on May 10.
7 Mariupol residents queue for water on May 10.
A local resident cuts firewood outside a damaged residential building on May 12. Under Russian control the city is struggling to restore basic services such as electricity and water.
8 A local resident cuts firewood outside a damaged residential building on May 12. Under Russian control the city is struggling to restore basic services such as electricity and water.
Local residents gather to charge their mobile phones with a generator provided by the local separatist authorities on May 12. 
9 Local residents gather to charge their mobile phones with a generator provided by the local separatist authorities on May 12. 
A couple walk hand in hand through a destroyed residential area on May 12.
10 A couple walk hand in hand through a destroyed residential area on May 12.
Children gather at a playground  surrounded by destroyed apartment buildings on March 11.
11 Children gather at a playground  surrounded by destroyed apartment buildings on March 11.
Civilians fleeing Mariupol wait at a checkpoint on May 7. The International Organization for Migration estimates that at least 7.1 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24.
12 Civilians fleeing Mariupol wait at a checkpoint on May 7. The International Organization for Migration estimates that at least 7.1 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24.
16x9 Image

RFE/RL

RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

Recommended

​
XS
SM
MD
LG