Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed photos of Mariupol under occupation and promised to liberate it, as in 2014
DENYS KARLOVSKYY — MONDAY, 13 JUNE 2022, 16:32
On the anniversary of the liberation of Mariupol from occupation by Russian militants in 2014, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released photos of the current state of the city under Russian occupation.
Source: Zelenskyy`s Facebook page
Quote from Zelenskyy: "On the eighth anniversary of the liberation of Mariupol from pro-Russian terrorists, we are once again fighting for the city and the whole of Ukraine. As in 2014, Mariupol will be free again. The Ukrainian flag will return in the same way as in every city and village taken by the invaders. Because this is our country and our people!"
Details: Among the photos shared by the president are the ruins of the city’s Drama Theatre after an airstrike. He also showed photos of destroyed streets and residential buildings in the city centre.
Background:
- 2014: on 13 June, the Ukrainian defenders started clearing the territory of the city of pro-Russian militants from the so-called "DPR" [Donetsk People’s Republic]. Subsequently, residents of the city celebrated the anniversary of the liberation of Mariupol, which is marked every year on 13 June.
- Russian invaders renamed Freedom Square in Mariupol to Lenin Square.
- Cars with loudspeakers drove through the streets of the destroyed city, which broadcast Russian propaganda.
- According to the Mariupol City Council, by the end of 2022, 10,000 Mariupol residents could die from infectious diseases.
- Invaders deported 50,000 Mariupol residents from the city.