Russia boasts of turning devastated Ukrainian Mariupol into a ‘rapidly developing city’

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ukrainian war

To Matthew Sedaka

May 20, 2023 | 2:13 PM

Russia Marks One Year After Atrocities Occupation of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol Social media posts praised the new infrastructure in Moscow’s “bustling and fast-growing city”, with residents screaming that the once-bustling metropolis had fallen into harrowing memories of Soviet rule. Despite being

On the anniversary of the Russian occupation of Mariupol – the culmination of months of fighting that left the city in rubble and wreckage. At least 21,000 civilians dead — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia posted on twitter The emoji-riddled message denigrated Ukrainian fighters and praised Moscow’s efforts to revitalize the port city on the Sea of ​​Azov.

“Today’s Mark [1] #One year since the city of Mariupol was freed from the neo-Nazis of the Kiev regime who used its people as human shields,” the message reads, adding a mural of a patriotic Russian woman and children to a newly built building. A photo of the building is attached. playing together

“Today, it is a rapidly growing and bustling city with newly built districts, hospitals, schools and kindergartens.”

Critics were quick to denounce the Russian government’s propaganda and denounced the new construction as “old-fashioned.” Potemkin Village”

“It’s Like Hell” Somebody joked.

Others were outraged that the Russian authorities avoided mentioning that the city had been destroyed during the invasion and needed new construction.

One Twitter user said, “I forgot to say how many civilians were killed by bombing the city into ruins.” Saidand shared photos of dozens of charred apartment buildings scattered across the landscape.

Ukrainians who still live in Mariupol and hope for a swift military strike to retake it paint a dark picture of life under Russian occupation.

They complain about the dazzling prices in barren shops and the presence of Russian soldiers in the streets. Some are barely living in high-rise buildings without heat or light that are scheduled to be demolished.

“This city is not the city I used to know. The people are not the same. Everything has changed,” said one resident. told the Guardian. “I always feel like I want to go home.”

Schools banned the Ukrainian language and displayed a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with some saying children were being “brainwashed”.

“Kids are taught that the Russian president is the best and that Ukraine is full of bad guys and fascists,” said another resident.

“It’s like the USSR. There’s an alien slogan. Only mathematics and physics haven’t changed.”

Even those who say they are optimistic that Ukrainian forces will liberate the city in a future counteroffensive recognize that Mariupol will then need extensive redevelopment.

“The Russians destroyed everything. So many people died,” said one woman who fled the city. “It’s going to be a haunted place, like Chernobyl.”