Russians reopen Mariupol drama theatre they destroyed with songs and dancing
Russians have officially reopened the rebuilt drama theatre in temporarily occupied Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast, staging a festive concert; officials from Russia and the leader of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast), Denis Pushilin, attended.
Source: Mariupol City Council
Details: Mariupol City Council said that the opening was attended by St Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov and Vladimir Mashkov, head of the Russian Union of Theatre Workers and actor who has openly supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Quote: "Information has emerged that despite the reopening, New Year performances planned in the building have been cancelled. Occupation authorities said that the shows would instead take place at the philharmonic hall. They did not give reasons for their decision."
More details: On 16 March 2022, Russian forces dropped two 500 kg aerial bombs on the Mariupol Drama Theatre, where hundreds of people who had lost their homes in the war were sheltering. There is still no confirmed figure for that day's fatalities.
At the time, large letters reading "Children" were written in front of and behind the building, intended to be visible to Russian pilots.
The Russians later demolished the building of the theatre, leaving the front section as a supposed "basis for reconstruction".
The Russians completed the exterior repairs of the Mariupol Drama Theatre in August 2025. They claim that interior finishing works were ongoing. They planned to stage the first performance there by the end of the year.
Quote: "The new building only imitates the destroyed theatre. The sculptures damaged through workers' incompetence are of poor quality. The original theatre's facade was faced in white Crimean stone shipped by sea rather than plastered. The occupation authorities have simply painted over brick walls."
Background:
- It emerged in November that the Russians in temporarily occupied Mariupol plan to open the Drama Theatre.
- The Russians began to put up the city's main Christmas tree outside the Drama Theatre in December.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!