Mariupol Residents Challenge Russian Claims of City Reconstruction

In the wake of the protracted conflict in Ukraine, residents of Mariupol, a city heavily impacted by the Russian siege in 2022, are contesting Moscow's narrative that the city is undergoing significant reconstruction. Three years after the brutal takeover and devastation, local voices reveal a starkly different reality from the polished portrayals presented by Russian media.

According to John, a local resident whose name has been changed for security reasons, the depictions of Mariupol on Russian television are "fairy tales for fools." He describes the ongoing conditions, stating, "They are repairing the facades of the buildings on the main streets, where they bring cameras to shoot. But around the corner, there is rubble and emptiness. Many people still live in half-destroyed apartments with their walls barely standing." This sentiment echoes through the experiences of many, revealing a city still grappling with the aftermath of warfare.

The siege of Mariupol was a pivotal moment in the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Reports from the United Nations indicated that approximately 90% of residential buildings were damaged or destroyed during the assault, which left thousands dead (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, March 2023). Despite this, recent narratives promoted by pro-Russian influencers suggest that life has returned to normal and that reconstruction efforts are flourishing.

However, testimonies from various residents paint a grim picture. Olha Onyshko, a 66-year-old who escaped Mariupol last year, expressed skepticism about the repairs being claimed by authorities. "I wouldn’t say they have repaired a lot of things. There’s a central square – only the buildings there have been reconstructed. They cleared the debris, but they didn’t even separate out the dead bodies; they were just loaded onto trucks with the rubble and carried out of the city," she stated.

Water scarcity has emerged as a pressing issue. James, another resident, elaborated on the situation: "Water flows for a day or two, then it doesn’t come for three days. We keep buckets and cans of water at home. The colour of the water is so yellow that even after boiling it, it’s scary to drink it." Serhii Orlov, who claims the title of deputy mayor in exile, noted that significant infrastructure, such as the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal, was damaged during fighting, exacerbating the water crisis. He remarked, "Only one reservoir was left supplying water to Mariupol. Since occupation has lasted longer than that, it means there is no drinking water at all."

In addition to inadequate access to water, residents are facing frequent power outages and soaring food prices, with basic medicines becoming increasingly scarce. James highlighted the challenges for diabetics, stating, "Basic medicines are not available. Diabetics struggle to get insulin on time, and it is crazy expensive."

Education under Russian occupation has also raised concerns among residents. Andrii Kozhushyna, who studied at a university in Mariupol during the occupation, described the indoctrination occurring in local schools. "They are teaching children false information and propaganda. For example, school textbooks state that Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Crimea and even Dnipropetrovsk regions are all already part of Russia," he asserted.

The imposition of Soviet-era celebrations and educational programs has led to a form of cultural oppression that many residents find intolerable. John lamented the indoctrination efforts aimed at children, stating, "Teachers who refuse to take these lessons are intimidated or fired. It’s like they are reprogramming the minds of our children."

Despite the oppressive atmosphere, a clandestine resistance has emerged among some residents. Those involved engage in acts of defiance, such as painting Ukrainian colors on walls and distributing leaflets with messages of liberation. James, a member of this resistance, explained their goals: "The messages are meant as moral support for our people, to let them know that the resistance is alive. I document information about Russian military movements."

This covert opposition underscores the ongoing struggle for autonomy and identity among Mariupol's residents. The fear of reprisal remains a constant threat, as individuals must navigate a landscape fraught with danger and distrust. John described the tension, stating, "Every day you delete your messages because your phone can be checked at checkpoints. You’re afraid to call your friends in Ukraine in case your phone is being tapped."

As the conflict persists, the prospect of peace negotiations raises concerns about territorial concessions. Residents express a strong resolve against what they perceive as a betrayal. John articulated this sentiment poignantly: "We don’t want ‘peace at any cost.’ We want liberation."

The disparity between the narratives propagated by Russian authorities and the lived experiences of Mariupol’s residents highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict. As reconstruction efforts remain stagnant, the city's inhabitants continue to endure hardships and maintain their hopes for a future free from oppression.