In Mariupol, life remains harsh amidst continued propaganda about improvements and recovery.
**Reality vs. Fiction: Life in Occupied Mariupol**
**Reality vs. Fiction: Life in Occupied Mariupol**
Ukrainian residents share stark truths contrasting Russia's portrayal of Mariupol post-occupation.
In the heart of occupied Mariupol, the narratives spun by Russian state media clash starkly with the lived reality of its residents. "What you see on Russian TV are mere fairy tales," asserts John, a pseudonymous local who risks backlash from authorities. Despite the occasional facelift of central streets for media optics, the back alleys remain littered with rubble, and many families endure life in crumbling apartments, a legacy of the devastating siege that clinched Mariupol for Russia in 2022.
In this grim reality, residents are grappling with dire conditions. Olha Onyshko, a survivor who fled Mariupol, recounts the selective restoration efforts that leave vast areas desolate: "Only recently cleared spaces where buildings once stood." Notably, the supply of clean water has dwindled, with Serhii Orlov, the deputy mayor in exile, lamenting that the city relies on a single, dwindling reservoir that is now insufficient for the population's needs. "The water is colored so poorly that it's unsafe, even after boiling," explains James, a current resident.
Beyond infrastructure woes, the occupation has drastically altered the education system. Andrii Kozhushyna, who previously studied in the city, details the indoctrination of local children: "Textbooks promote false narratives suggesting various regions are now part of Russia." Such conditions extend to entrenched Soviet-style celebrations imposed on the populace.
Yet, resistance is robust, despite extreme risks. A clandestine network of locals actively push back against Russian authority—in the dark of night, they covertly paint Ukrainian colors and relay crucial intelligence to fight oppression, as James elaborates on his separate missions for the Ukrainian military.
Each day poses new threats; from communications being monitored through phone checks to neighbors turning informants, everyday life feels like "a thrilling film of constant tension and fear," James shares. As the yen for peace discussions rises, voices within and beyond Ukraine push back against territorial concessions. "We seek liberation, not merely an agreement," emphasizes John, encapsulating the determination of those living under occupation.
In this grim reality, residents are grappling with dire conditions. Olha Onyshko, a survivor who fled Mariupol, recounts the selective restoration efforts that leave vast areas desolate: "Only recently cleared spaces where buildings once stood." Notably, the supply of clean water has dwindled, with Serhii Orlov, the deputy mayor in exile, lamenting that the city relies on a single, dwindling reservoir that is now insufficient for the population's needs. "The water is colored so poorly that it's unsafe, even after boiling," explains James, a current resident.
Beyond infrastructure woes, the occupation has drastically altered the education system. Andrii Kozhushyna, who previously studied in the city, details the indoctrination of local children: "Textbooks promote false narratives suggesting various regions are now part of Russia." Such conditions extend to entrenched Soviet-style celebrations imposed on the populace.
Yet, resistance is robust, despite extreme risks. A clandestine network of locals actively push back against Russian authority—in the dark of night, they covertly paint Ukrainian colors and relay crucial intelligence to fight oppression, as James elaborates on his separate missions for the Ukrainian military.
Each day poses new threats; from communications being monitored through phone checks to neighbors turning informants, everyday life feels like "a thrilling film of constant tension and fear," James shares. As the yen for peace discussions rises, voices within and beyond Ukraine push back against territorial concessions. "We seek liberation, not merely an agreement," emphasizes John, encapsulating the determination of those living under occupation.
