(UKRAINE – MARIUPOL) – Ukrainian expert Petro Andryushchenko has described life under Russian occupation in Mariupol as “survival rather than living,” warning that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin aims to turn Ukrainians into “new slaves” in territories under Moscow’s control. Andryushchenko, who left Mariupol shortly after Russian forces took the city, remains in close contact with residents who have stayed behind.
According to Andryushchenko, Russian troops in Mariupol have imposed severe pressure on civilians. Water supply is extremely limited, available only four hours every two days. Many residents now live in apartments abandoned by people who evacuated, though some of these properties have been destroyed by Russian forces. Infrastructure challenges continue, making everyday life increasingly difficult.
The expert also highlighted the oppressive behaviour of Russian forces, noting that they maintain pervasive control over communication, internet traffic, and mobile networks. Surveillance systems monitor residents’ movements, while identification checks and other forms of intimidation are routine. Andryushchenko described life in Mariupol as being under “total pressure” from the occupiers.
Reports of brutality continue, including the forced removal of children from their families. Orphans from Mariupol and other regions, such as Zaporizhzhia, are being relocated to Russia and placed with new families. Although these cases are fewer than during the initial months of occupation, Andryushchenko said the practice continues “day by day.” Arrests of pro-Ukrainian citizens and other forms of intimidation remain ongoing.
Many residents remain in Mariupol despite the harsh conditions because they are elderly or lack the financial means to leave. For others, the occupied city is paradoxically safer than trying to survive elsewhere in Ukraine. International aid is limited, leaving millions under occupation without adequate support.
Andryushchenko stressed that discussions of territory miss the point: the crisis is about people, not land. “When Putin talks about new territory, he is talking about millions of people, turning them into new slaves,” he said. The situation, he argued, threatens values that previous generations of civilisation fought to uphold.
On President Zelenskiy, Andryushchenko noted that Ukrainians see him not as a person but as a figure representing the nation. Leadership matters less than the collective effort of the Ukrainian people, who continue to resist occupation. While corruption remains a concern, anti-corruption efforts within the government are ongoing, and the immediate focus remains on the safety and survival of citizens.
Main Issues in Russian-Occupied Mariupol
| Issue | Current Situation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply | 4 hours per 48 hours | Severe shortage |
| Housing | Over 20,000 without homes | Some properties destroyed by occupiers |
| Surveillance | Total control via internet, mobile, ID checks | Ongoing intimidation |
| Child abductions | Regular, smaller scale than early occupation | Children sent to Russia |
| Arrests | Targeting pro-Ukrainian residents | Continued oppression |
