Occupiers Hold Propaganda Event at Site of Mass Tragedy in Mariupol

In Mariupol, a town that has become a symbol of suffering during the war, occupiers staged a cynical propaganda event at the site of a tragedy where hundreds lost their lives. According to the Ukrainian city council of Mariupol via Telegram, the event took place near the so-called 'restored' Drama Theatre, where on March 16, 2022, Russian forces dropped aerial bombs, killing approximately 300 people, mostly women and children.

On December 29, 2025, at the same location, the occupiers unfurled a 200-meter flag of the 'DPR'. This event was timed to coincide with the occupiers' propaganda holiday known as 'DPR Declaration Day'. The city council reported that at the site of the tragedy, the occupiers gathered youth, including members of the so-called 'Young Guard' and students from local illegitimate universities, who celebrated the 'liberation of Donbas' to songs and calls.

The city council emphasized that such propaganda events aim to create a new pseudo-historical memory among the youth, instilling a distorted version of history. They noted that students have become the primary targets of propaganda efforts: educational institutions are conducting lessons called 'Conversations About Important Matters', singing the Russian anthem, and universities are encouraging students to join the Russian army.

The city council also highlighted the cynicism of the occupiers in holding their 'celebrations' at sites of tragedy. They reminded that in the building of the Drama Theatre, where the horrific airstrike occurred, families with children were predominantly taking shelter. In front of the theatre, people wrote the word 'CHILDREN' in large letters, trying to draw attention to the innocent victims. However, this did not stop the Russians, who, despite the massive inscriptions, dropped bombs on the theatre, leading to mass casualties.

Additionally, in Mariupol, Russian occupiers opened the first 'youth army class' in the so-called 'DPR' at a school, where the main goal of the education is the militarization of children. This indicates a systematic approach to shaping a new generation that will be raised in the spirit of Russian propaganda.

It is important to remember that as a result of the airstrike on the Drama Theatre in Mariupol, around 300 people were killed, marking one of the most tragic moments of the war. The occupiers continue to use this and other sites of tragedy for their propaganda purposes, attempting to distort history and devalue human losses.

Photo: City Council of Ukrainian Mariupol

Join our channels on Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube.