Published: Less than 10 min ago
A year ago, Russia took control of the steel mill in Azovstal.
The city then fell into Russian hands and has changed drastically in a year.
The Ukrainian language has been banned, pro-Russian media has been established and people are being tortured.
– Children are told that the president of Russia is the best, that Ukraine is full of bad people and fascists. It’s like the Soviet Union, says one of the city’s residents The Guardian.
The Azovstal steelworks was the city’s last outpost. After a long and intense bombardment, Russia managed to take over the steel mill a year ago.
The capture of the city was described as Russia’s biggest victory in the war, but also as a more symbolically important victory for President Putin than a military one.
A grim version of the Soviet Union
Several residents of Mariupol now testify anonymously to The Guardian about how the city has changed since Russia took over.
Portraits of Putin have been hung in schools and offices. The Ukrainian language has been banned and anyone who expresses pro-Ukrainian views risks several hours of interrogation and torture.
– The deals are primitive and the prices astronomical. I don’t recognize the town, the people are not the same. Everything has changed and I have a permanent longing to go home, says one of the residents to The Guardian.
During the siege last spring, Russia pulverized the city. Whole neighborhoods were destroyed and a Mariupol resident describes it now looking like a ghost town.
– It looks terrible, full of craters and everything is desecrated, says one of the residents to The Guardian.
Several residents also testify that they are forced to live in large high-rise buildings that are to be demolished, without either heat or electricity.
Fear the counteroffensive
When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the city was divided into two roughly equal camps, according to one of the city’s residents.
Half supported Putin and the other half sympathized with Kiev.
Last fall, around half of the residents fled to other parts of the country controlled by Ukraine and to other European cities. Those who stayed and chose to stay, mainly support Putin, according to the residents The Guardian spoke to.
– They are very afraid of the counteroffensive. The atmosphere in Mariupol has changed drastically. A year ago everyone thought Russia would win, there was no other scenario. Now even those who support Putin understand that something is happening and that Russia may actually lose.
An estimated 50,000 Russians have relocated to Mariupol from other Russian cities, according to Mariupol residents. At the same time, a majority of the population of the occupied city has accepted Russian passports. To be able to take part in a pension, own or sell a car or have access to healthcare, a Russian passport is required, according to residents of the city.