Residents of war-torn Mariupol recall traumatic experience
MARIUPOL, Ukraine - Ukraine’s southeastern city of Mariupol has been under Russian bombardment since late February. The city’s residents spoke to Rudaw earlier this month about their sufferings and traumatic experience with the war.
Russia began invading Ukraine on February 24, deeming it a “special operation” which is widely seen as a full-scale offensive. The war has forced millions of Ukrainians leave their homes, with most of them migrating to abroad.
Rudaw’s Kamiz Shadadi was in Mariupol last week. He visited the iconic theatre in the city which has been used by locals as a shelter since the invasion began. The building was bombarded by Russians on March 16, killing hundreds of those who had sheltered there.
“I do not know [about the bombing]. We know nothing. What is the benefit of mentioning it? What changes in our lives?” asked a resident of the city.
Around 100,000 Ukrainians are believed to still remain in war-ravaged Mariupol.
On May 4, Associated Press revealed “evidence” which points to 600 deaths in the theatre bombardment.
Nasha’s dream
The wreckage and rubble has turned the place into a ghost city.
March 10 was a nice day for the 12-year-old Nasha. She could not leave the underground shelter for three months due to constant bombardment by Russian forces. She and her parents went to the seashore to eat fried fish.
“March 10 was my daughter’s birthday but we were in the underground. The planes bombarded us and the bombs hit houses. We did stay [at home] but when the doors and windows and everything were destroyed we only thought of the safety of our daughter. My daughter was terrified and told me, ‘Have I done anything wrong, mom? Why does such a disaster happen on my birthday?’ I told her that it was not her fault or anyone’s fault,” Nasha’s mother, Natalia, told Rudaw.
Mariupol’s population is about half a million but only a few people can be seen.
“The worst part is when you are unable to do anything. I took a paper and pencil and wrote down a list [of names] for my daughter to contact for help when we are gone. This is heartbreaking,” added the mother.
Nasha wants to become a clothes designer. She hopes she will be able to design and sell clothes one day.
Hardships
The shelling and bombardment of the city have not stopped yet, but it's mainly concentrated on the besieged Azovstal steel plant, a massive coastal complex in the city where Ukrainian troops have put up a stiff resistance and are unwilling to surrender. Ukrainian troops inside the facility are estimated to be around 2,000.
Soldiers and heavy weapons are not apparent in the downtown area. However, street fighting continues. The sound of bombs is constantly heard.
Residents of Mariupol receive humanitarian aid once in a month. Therefore, any sort of aid is important for them.
“My house has been damaged. I have lost everything. It is only me and my husband who struggles to walk due to breathing issues. We have been settled on the fourth floor. My husband cannot come down or go up. This is how we live. I have lost all hope. I have sent letters to the authorities but I do not know when they will have a result,” Tatyana Kvartseva told Rudaw.
Yuliya is another resident of Mariupol. She said that her daily chores include collecting wood sticks for fire, finding drinking water and preparing food. “The aid we receive is not sufficient. My daughter has not been to school for three months. What was her crime? She has not done anything in her life. She has been punished,” she added.
“Our house does not have windows, gas, or light. We also bring water from outside. Children bring water. Our house shakes every night due to bombardment. Children are terrified. The authorities should resolve their issues through peace. What have we civilians done?” asked the woman.
Reporting by Kamiz Shadadi
Cameraman: Andrey Chernenok
Russia began invading Ukraine on February 24, deeming it a “special operation” which is widely seen as a full-scale offensive. The war has forced millions of Ukrainians leave their homes, with most of them migrating to abroad.
Rudaw’s Kamiz Shadadi was in Mariupol last week. He visited the iconic theatre in the city which has been used by locals as a shelter since the invasion began. The building was bombarded by Russians on March 16, killing hundreds of those who had sheltered there.
“I do not know [about the bombing]. We know nothing. What is the benefit of mentioning it? What changes in our lives?” asked a resident of the city.
Around 100,000 Ukrainians are believed to still remain in war-ravaged Mariupol.
On May 4, Associated Press revealed “evidence” which points to 600 deaths in the theatre bombardment.
Nasha’s dream
The wreckage and rubble has turned the place into a ghost city.
March 10 was a nice day for the 12-year-old Nasha. She could not leave the underground shelter for three months due to constant bombardment by Russian forces. She and her parents went to the seashore to eat fried fish.
“March 10 was my daughter’s birthday but we were in the underground. The planes bombarded us and the bombs hit houses. We did stay [at home] but when the doors and windows and everything were destroyed we only thought of the safety of our daughter. My daughter was terrified and told me, ‘Have I done anything wrong, mom? Why does such a disaster happen on my birthday?’ I told her that it was not her fault or anyone’s fault,” Nasha’s mother, Natalia, told Rudaw.
Mariupol’s population is about half a million but only a few people can be seen.
“The worst part is when you are unable to do anything. I took a paper and pencil and wrote down a list [of names] for my daughter to contact for help when we are gone. This is heartbreaking,” added the mother.
Nasha wants to become a clothes designer. She hopes she will be able to design and sell clothes one day.
Hardships
The shelling and bombardment of the city have not stopped yet, but it's mainly concentrated on the besieged Azovstal steel plant, a massive coastal complex in the city where Ukrainian troops have put up a stiff resistance and are unwilling to surrender. Ukrainian troops inside the facility are estimated to be around 2,000.
Soldiers and heavy weapons are not apparent in the downtown area. However, street fighting continues. The sound of bombs is constantly heard.
Residents of Mariupol receive humanitarian aid once in a month. Therefore, any sort of aid is important for them.
“My house has been damaged. I have lost everything. It is only me and my husband who struggles to walk due to breathing issues. We have been settled on the fourth floor. My husband cannot come down or go up. This is how we live. I have lost all hope. I have sent letters to the authorities but I do not know when they will have a result,” Tatyana Kvartseva told Rudaw.
Yuliya is another resident of Mariupol. She said that her daily chores include collecting wood sticks for fire, finding drinking water and preparing food. “The aid we receive is not sufficient. My daughter has not been to school for three months. What was her crime? She has not done anything in her life. She has been punished,” she added.
“Our house does not have windows, gas, or light. We also bring water from outside. Children bring water. Our house shakes every night due to bombardment. Children are terrified. The authorities should resolve their issues through peace. What have we civilians done?” asked the woman.
Reporting by Kamiz Shadadi
Cameraman: Andrey Chernenok