Residents of Russian-occupied Mariupol, including John, Olha Onyshko, and James, contradict Russian media portrayals of the city's recovery, stating that most of it remains in ruins with severe water shortages, frequent power cuts, expensive food, and scarce medicines. They also highlight Russian propaganda in schools, teaching false information about Ukrainian regions being part of Russia. Despite hardships, a secret Ukrainian resistance operates, collecting intelligence and sabotaging operations for the Ukrainian military, risking their lives for liberation.
Ukraine war: Mariupol residents deny Russian stories about the city
War in UkraineRussiaUkraine
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Residents of Russian-occupied Mariupol, including John, Olha Onyshko, and James, contradict Russian media portrayals of the city's recovery, stating that most of it remains in ruins with severe water shortages, frequent power cuts, expensive food, and scarce medicines. They also highlight Russian propaganda in schools, teaching false information about Ukrainian regions being part of Russia. Despite hardships, a secret Ukrainian resistance operates, collecting intelligence and sabotaging operations for the Ukrainian military, risking their lives for liberation.
Trending- 1 2022: Russia 'liberates' Russian-speaking population from Nazis (according to Russian textbooks).
- 2 Early months of full-scale invasion: Mariupol taken by Russian forces after brutal siege.
- 3 Just over three years ago: UN estimated 90% of residential buildings in Mariupol damaged or destroyed.
- 4 Late last year: Olha Onyshko escaped from Mariupol.
- 5 May (current year): World War Two Victory Day celebrations in Mariupol.
- 6 Current: Mariupol residents deny Russian stories; secret resistance active.
- 7 Ongoing: Talks continue between Ukraine and Russia.
- Widespread destruction in Mariupol, with most of the city still in ruins.
- Severe water shortages, frequent power cuts, expensive food, and scarce medicines for residents.
- Children in schools are being taught false information and propaganda, with teachers intimidated or fired for refusal.
- Ongoing secret resistance activities by Ukrainians, risking arrest and exposure.
- Residents live in constant tension, fear, and distrust due to phone checks and surveillance.
- Concerns that conceding territory in peace talks would be a betrayal of those risking their lives for liberation.
What: Mariupol residents denying Russian propaganda about the city's recovery, detailing ongoing hardships (widespread ruins, water/power shortages, high prices, scarce medicine), and describing Russian indoctrination in schools and the activities of a secret Ukrainian resistance.
When: Just over three years since Mariupol was taken (early months of full-scale invasion), recent months (pro-Russia influencers' videos), late last year (Olha Onyshko escaped), May (World War Two Victory Day celebrations).
Where: Mariupol (Ukraine), Ternopil (Ukraine), Dnipro (Ukraine), Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Crimea, Dnipropetrovsk regions (Ukraine), Russia, Belarus.
Why: Russian authorities are presenting a false narrative of recovery in Mariupol; residents want to reveal the true conditions and resist occupation; resistance groups aim to provide moral support and intelligence to the Ukrainian military and sabotage operations.
How: Russian media shows repaired facades on main streets; residents provide testimonies of widespread ruins, poor living conditions, and propaganda in schools; Ukrainian resistance groups spray paint messages, paste leaflets, collect intelligence on Russian military movements, and sabotage operations (e.g., railway line disruption).