Once a vibrant Ukrainian port city, Mariupol now stands as a symbol of devastation and resilience. After falling under Russian control during the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Mariupol has endured destruction, propaganda, and human suffering on a massive scale. But behind the ruins lies a community still holding on—to identity, memory, and the hope of liberation.
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“What They Show on Russian TV Are Fairy Tales”
To understand life under occupation, we spoke with a local resident, whom we’ll refer to as John to protect his identity.
“Most of Mariupol is still in ruins,” John says. “What they show on Russian TV are fairy tales for fools.”
While Russian state media highlights images of freshly paved roads and painted facades, the reality for most residents is far bleaker. Just blocks away from the carefully curated shots, many live in crumbling buildings, surrounded by rubble and decay.
“People are surviving in half-built apartments with only partial walls still standing,” he adds.
Widespread Destruction and a Struggling Infrastructure
The United Nations estimates that over 90% of residential buildings in Mariupol were damaged or destroyed during the siege. Thousands of civilians perished in the assault, and those who remain now face a grim daily existence.
Former resident Olha Onisko, 66, who fled Mariupol in late 2024 and now lives in Ternopil, confirms John’s account:
“Only the city center has been somewhat rebuilt. Everywhere else, the debris remains. They even cleared bodies along with the rubble—loading them into trucks and hauling them away.”
Critical Water Shortages
Water remains a major issue. According to residents, supply is inconsistent and unsafe.
“Sometimes we get water for one or two days, then nothing for three. The water is yellow—like Coca-Cola,” John explains. “Even after boiling, it’s scary to drink.”
Mariupol’s former deputy mayor, Serhii Orlov, confirms that the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas canal, the city’s main water source, was damaged during fighting. Now, only one reservoir remains, with enough supply to last roughly 18 months under current conditions.
“The water quality doesn’t meet basic drinking standards,” says Orlov.
Medicine and Food Are Scarce
Basic medical supplies are hard to come by, particularly insulin and treatments for chronic illnesses.
“If you’re diabetic, you’re in real trouble,” says John. “Essential medicines are rare, and prices for what’s available have skyrocketed.”
Food is also limited, and residents must deal with constant power outages, price inflation, and a black market economy.
Indoctrination in Schools: “They’re Rewriting Our Children’s Minds”
The psychological toll is equally alarming. Children in Mariupol are being taught a distorted version of history in Russian-controlled schools.
Andrii Kozhushyna, a student who escaped Mariupol and now lives in Ukraine, recalls:
“Textbooks say places like Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Odesa, Crimea—even Dnipropetrovsk—are all part of Russia.”
He also describes “Important Conversations,” a program where students are told that Russia came to liberate Russian-speaking Ukrainians.
Teachers who resist are often intimidated, fired, or worse.
“It’s like they’re reprogramming our youth,” says John. “Our children are growing up with lies.”
Resistance Is Alive, But Dangerous
Despite the risks, an underground resistance continues in Mariupol. Residents like John and another operative, James, secretly gather intelligence on Russian troop movements, sabotage military operations, and support the Ukrainian cause.
“We send reports and photos to the Ukrainian army,” James says. “We’ve even disrupted railway signals to delay Russian transports.”
These acts, though dangerous, offer a glimmer of hope to locals.
“Our graffiti, our messages—they’re reminders that the spirit of Ukraine is still alive,” says James.
Constant Surveillance and Fear
Life under occupation means constant fear. Phones are monitored. Conversations are cautious. Neighbors may report on each other.
“One man was arrested just for allegedly talking to someone from the Ukrainian army,” John recalls.
Andrii Kozhushyna shares a chilling memory:
“A soldier showed my photo to a cashier at a bakery, asking if they knew who I was. I knew I had to leave immediately.”
Andrii fled through Russia and Belarus, eventually re-entering Ukraine from the north.
“Peace at Any Cost Is Not Peace”
As diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia drag on, locals in Mariupol remain skeptical about any potential deal that would cede territory.
“It would be a betrayal,” John insists. “Ukrainians are risking their lives here every day. This isn’t something you just sign away in a suit.”
For them, this fight is about identity, dignity, and freedom—not just land.
“We don’t want peace at any cost. We want liberation.”
Final Thoughts: A City Holding On
Mariupol’s story is not just about destruction—it’s about resistance, survival, and the unyielding will of its people. Each broken building and silent street tells a story of struggle. As the world watches, those still living under occupation continue to hope, resist, and believe that one day, they will be free again.