Berlin.
The before and after comparison shows how devastating the Russian bombardment had on the eastern Ukrainian city.
In addition to Kharkiv, Bucha and Bakhmut, the port city of Mariupol is the most important beacon of the Ukrainian resistance in the Russian war of aggression. The industrial metropolis on the Azov Sea, which once had 500,000 inhabitants, came under the Kremlin’s crosshairs right from the start. In order to break the resistance of the army and the population, Putin had Mariupol bombed for 80 days. Satellite images now show the destruction of the Bombenhagel caused.
The shocking photos published on the geospatial service provider Google Maps are testament to the Russian mania for annihilation in Ukraine. From February 24, 2022 – the first day of the invasion – the city was under siege. After the encirclement in early March, water, gas, electricity and finally access to food were systematically cut off. Despite the siege Thousands of Ukrainian troops held their position in the Azov steelworks and remained encircled for weeks with limited food rations.
Two months of bomb terror: Russia’s attacks in Mariupol were so devastating
Around the same time, the nationwide bombardment began in south-eastern Ukraine. Russian troops shelled Mariupol up to the surrender of the Azov regiment on May 20 last year.
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Current estimates assume that around 46 percent of all buildings in the city area were destroyed. According to information from the United Nations, around 90 percent of all residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed. From the home of just under half a million inhabitants, only a huge desert of rubble remains in large parts. Bourgeois suburbs and residential areas also fell victim to the hail of bombs. At least 350,000 people fled the country by the end of the year rubble. Thousands were abducted to Russia after the capture. Many children were snatched from their parents.
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Dramatic damage to people and infrastructure: up to 87,000 fatalities
In addition to the infrastructural destruction, the new images also provide information about the human loss. As Associated Press journalists suspect based on the satellite images, Russian forces dug at least 10,000 graves after the occupation, many of which now lie civilians to bury. The New York-based press agency expects around 25,000 fatalities, other media speak of up to 87,000 dead Ukrainians.
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The sad climax of the bombing happened on March 16, 2022, when the Municipal Theater came under fire. The building became the target of the attack because around 1,200 civilians had barricaded themselves there. Those seeking protection had written “Children” in Russian in huge Kirilic letters on the theater forecourt, hoping that Russian bombers would refrain from attacking. Instead, a presumed laser-guided one went High Precision Missile down in the theatre. Large parts of the building collapsed. Collapsing debris and the ensuing fire are believed to have claimed 600 lives, according to the AP.
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