In Mariupol, Occupiers Construct Memorial Complex for 'Liberators of Donbas' — Details

In the temporarily occupied city of Mariupol, which is currently under the control of Russian troops, the construction of a memorial complex has commenced, designated 'Liberators of Donbas' and dedicated to participants of the so-called 'special military operation.' This information was confirmed by representatives of the Mariupol City Council on Monday, April 6, who emphasized that this project is part of a broader Russian ideological campaign.

According to reports, the memorial is being built at the observation platform of Primorsky Park. Currently, builders are actively assembling metal structures that will form a 50-meter stele shaped like an anchor. This stele is set to become the central element of the memorial complex, which, according to the occupiers, will be the largest of its kind in Russia dedicated to the so-called 'special military operation.' They claim that the idea for this project was approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, despite the ambitious plans of the occupiers, the situation in Mariupol itself remains critical. The city council noted that Mariupol continues to face severe issues related to water supply and electricity. Meanwhile, Russian occupiers are spending millions of rubles on ideological monuments, while thousands of Mariupol families remain homeless. Their homes have been destroyed, and new buildings are being erected in their place, intended for sale to Russians.

'Thousands of Mariupol families remain without housing. Their homes have been demolished, and in their place, mortgages are being constructed for sale to Russians. Such actions by the occupiers clearly demonstrate their priorities: instead of restoring a decent life for people, they focus on murals, monuments, and pedestals,' stated the city council, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

In February 2024, an investigation by the Project was published, detailing Russia's failure to restore the devastated city of Mariupol. Journalists analyzed satellite images of the city and concluded that the occupiers had failed to fulfill promises to restore at least one-third of central Mariupol within the established timeframe. According to the investigation, 5,190 buildings were analyzed, of which 66% had been restored, while 33.4% remained in ruins.

Additionally, in February 2024, the Financial Times published an article describing how residents of Mariupol continue to live in semi-destroyed homes and leaking apartments while Russian businessmen profit from multimillion-dollar contracts. Local residents reported to journalists about the poor quality of repairs conducted by Russian workers, which has led to further dissatisfaction among the population.

Thus, the construction of the memorial in Mariupol becomes a symbol of the priorities of the Russian occupiers, who, instead of restoring the devastated city and improving the living conditions of its residents, are focusing on ideological projects that bear no relation to the real needs of the people.