Mariupol Before and After: When the Russian Peace “came to save” Ukraine

Mariupol Before Mariupol After

By Ivan Halaichuk

Mariupol is a city located south of Donetsk Oblast in Ukraine, situated on the coast of the Sea of Azov and at the mouth of the Kalmius River. Prior to the occupation by Russian forces, it was the tenth-largest city in Ukraine and the second-largest city in Donetsk Oblast, with an estimated population of 425,681 people as of January 2022.

Since May 2022, Mariupol has been partly occupied by Russian forces, leading to devastating consequences for the city and its residents. The initial stages of the occupation involved a series of aggressive actions by the Russians. In March 2022, just days after the war began, the Russian forces cut off essential services such as electricity, water, and gas supplies. This left the residents in a dire situation, forcing them to melt snow for water and cook outside using open flames.

The occupation also resulted in the environment of Mariupol and relentless bombing campaigns targeting the city. As a result, Mariupol turned into a nightmare for its inhabitants. Each day, numerous missiles were launched into the city, causing the deaths of civilians, including children, adults, and soldiers. The ongoing destruction of infrastructure has further exacerbated the already dire situation.

According to Deputy Mayor Serhiy Orlov, the city of Mariupol is experiencing a severe humanitarian catastrophe. The residents are facing acute shortages of food and water, while essential services like electricity, water supply, heating, and sewage systems have been severely disrupted or completely destroyed.

Since the beginning of the war, approximately 30,000 people have tragically lost their lives due to the actions of Russian soldiers and missiles. The devastating consequences are evident in the city. For instance, on March 9th of the previous year, Russian forces bombed a hospital and a maternity hospital, resulting in the deaths of three individuals—a doctor, a mother, and her child—and injuring nine others. Unfortunately, similar incidents continue to occur, placing the lives of innocent civilians at constant risk.

In response to the heroic efforts of the residents of Mariupol during the armed aggression by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi officially recognised their bravery by awarding the honorary title "Hero City of Ukraine" to Mariupol.

Today, the extent of the damage inflicted upon Mariupol can be seen through updated satellite data available on platforms like Google Maps. The destruction spans vast areas of the city, revealing the devastating impact of the conflict. Additionally, there have been reports of Russian attempts to conceal evidence of the horrors that unfolded in Mariupol, further emphasising the gravity of the situation.

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Mariupol before and after: Updated google maps reveal destruction in Ukraine City (2023) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/28/mariupol-before-and-after-updated-google-maps-reveal-destruction-in-ukraine-city?ref=upstract.com (Accessed: 30 May 2023).

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