Russian War Crimes in Mariupol

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, Ukrainian’s civilians began fleeing their homes as cities and towns were targeted by military attacks. One of such Ukrainian cities was the industrial city of Mariupol, which is located in the south of Ukraine.

On May 21, 2022, Mariupol was fully occupied by Russian forces. Since Russia’s invasion began, numerous war crimes have been committed by Russian authorities and armed forces. Mariupol has been among the hardest-hit cities, where thousands are estimated to have died, and vast areas of the city were destroyed.

Three years on, the tragedy of Mariupol continues, and the full extent of the devastation remains unclear. The exact number of casualties, both military and civilian, is unknown due to lack of access for Ukrainian investigators and the UN mission.

From February to late April 2022, Mariupol was likely Ukraine’s deadliest location. The intensity and scale of fighting, destruction, death, and injuries clearly indicate severe violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Up to 90% of residential buildings and around 60% of private homes were damaged or destroyed. Approximately 350,000 residents were forced to flee the city, with at least 25,000 fatalities reported.

On March 9, 2022, Mariupol’s maternity and children’s hospital suffered a severe attack resulting in 3 deaths and approximately 17 injuries, including a pregnant woman and her subsequently delivered child, who later died from injuries sustained. The hospital was clearly identified and operational at the time of the attack. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission concluded that the hospital was destroyed by a Russian strike without effective warning, constituting a clear breach of international humanitarian law and a war crime.

On March 16, 2022, Russian aircraft attacked the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol, likely using two 500 kg bombs. Hundreds of civilians were sheltering in and around the theater, clearly marked as a civilian facility. The Russian word “CHILDREN” was written in large letters outside the building, visible from the air. Local authorities reported approximately 300 fatalities, while an Associated Press investigation suggested up to 600 people might have died.

During the siege of Mariupol, the Azovstal steel plant became one of the most symbolic points of resistance. By late April, Azovstal was the last stronghold of Ukrainian defense in the city, with about 3,000 soldiers and civilians sheltering in its tunnels and bunkers for two months. The defenders faced constant shelling with minimal supplies of water, food, and medicine. Evacuations, organized by Ukraine with assistance from the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, allowed civilians to escape, but attacks continued intermittently. Since the invasion began, approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia, including children from Mariupol.

Evidence indicates Russian troops have executed unarmed Ukrainian civilians in their homes and streets, committing acts of extraordinary cruelty. Mass graves are proliferating in Mariupol; the city’s northwest contains large burial ¬elds reportedly containing thousands of bodies. Satellite imagery analysis for the BBC estimates over 4,600 graves have been dug since the war began.

Russian forces established filtration camps following the invasion, operating registration points, holding camps, interrogation centers, and prisons. Detainees experience torture, murder, sexual violence, starvation, and other grave human rights violations. At least 21 filtration-related facilities have been identified across Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, including four in Mariupol, holding over 10,000 civilians.

The safety of Azov Brigade prisoners of war remains a significant global concern. Members of the Russian State Duma repeatedly called for executing Azov fighters, who Russia holds as prisoners. On July 29, 2022, the Russian Embassy in the UK publicly advocated humiliating executions of Azov members. Approximately 2,500 defenders from Azovstal are estimated to be held captive.

The true russian’s crimes in Mariupol scale still remains unknown. To fully grasp the tragedy of Mariupol, we recommend watching the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” available on streaming platform. The world watched it unfold in the news — you must witness it firsthand.

Official Website: https://20daysinmariupol.com/

Where to watch the film:
https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/20-days-in-mariupol
https://www.netflix.com/ua-en/title/81771289
https://tv.apple.com/ca/movie/20-days-in-mariupol/umc.cmc.qwtvizt1ga3ki3aq1zjdwe04
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/20-days-in-mariupol
https://player.bfi.org.uk/rentals/film/watch-20-days-in-mariupol-2023-online