More than three years after Russia seized Mariupol in a brutal siege, residents say the city remains broken despite rosy portrayals in pro-Russian media. Locals, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, paint a grim picture of life under occupation.
“Most of Mariupol still lies in ruins,” says John, a Ukrainian still living in the city. “What they show on Russian TV are fairy tales for fools.” According to him, while the facades of some central buildings have been repaired for propaganda footage, much of the city remains rubble-strewn and uninhabitable. Many residents live in half-destroyed buildings.
Once a thriving port city, Mariupol suffered immense damage during Russia’s 2022 invasion. The UN estimated 90% of residential buildings were destroyed, and thousands of civilians killed.
Survivors describe dire living conditions. Access to clean water is limited, with residents receiving yellow, foul-smelling water intermittently. “Sometimes the water looks like Coca-Cola,” says James, another resident. The main water supply was destroyed during fighting, and alternative sources have not met drinking standards.
Power outages, food inflation, and medicine shortages are widespread. Basic medications, like insulin, are difficult to obtain and costly. Yet for many, the hardest part is watching Russian propaganda reshape education.
“They teach children that much of Ukraine is now part of Russia,” says Andrii, a student who fled Mariupol. Schools promote “liberation” narratives and Soviet traditions, while teachers resisting the curriculum face dismissal or intimidation.
Despite the hardships, a quiet resistance thrives. Residents spray Ukrainian colors at night and distribute leaflets proclaiming “Mariupol is Ukraine.” Some even sabotage Russian infrastructure and transmit intelligence to Ukrainian forces. But the risks are enormous. Suspected collaborators face arrest, and residents constantly fear surveillance.
As global debates continue over possible peace deals, residents reject the idea of trading territory for peace. “Giving away Mariupol would be betrayal,” says John. “We don’t want peace at any cost. We want liberation.”
Their message is clear: Mariupol remains occupied but its spirit resists.
