In Russian‑Occupied Mariupol, All Traces of Ukraine Are Being Erased

From devastated siege to a forced makeover

After the 2022 siege that left Mariupol in ruins, Russian authorities have embarked on a sweeping reconstruction campaign. Streets once lined with Ukrainian symbols are being stripped, and new signage in Russian is appearing across the cityscape.

Ukrainians struggle to recognize their hometown

Former residents who hope to return find a city that feels alien. Ukrainian-language shop signs have vanished, and many public buildings now bear Russian names and emblems. Even familiar landmarks have been altered or replaced, making it difficult for displaced families to locate the places they once called home.

Property claims become a battle of bureaucracy

Those trying to reclaim homes or businesses face a maze of new regulations. “It feels like the city has been rewritten without us,” one displaced homeowner said, describing the endless paperwork required to prove ownership under the new administration.

The broader implications

The systematic removal of Ukrainian cultural markers in Mariupol is part of a larger strategy to solidify Russian control over occupied territories. International observers warn that such actions aim to rewrite history and erase the identity of a city that once stood as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience.