Composite image of two satellite photos showing a view of the Mariupol theater on March 10, 2022 (top) and the destroyed theater on March 21, 2022.
The rebuilt central theater in Mariupol, located in eastern Ukraine and under Russian control, has reopened after being destroyed by shelling in 2022, according to local authorities.
An official said via Telegram, “The Russian Drama Theater in Mariupol has reopened to the public.”
The theater’s reconstruction took 3 years.
Russia has controlled this coastal city, which has a majority Russian-speaking population and overlooks the Sea of Azov, since May 2022. This occupation followed a siege that resulted in the deaths of 22,000 civilians, according to Ukrainian authorities, and the destruction or damage of 90% of residential buildings, according to the UN.
The official stated that “the implementation of the building reconstruction project took three years,” restoring “its historical appearance,” with a facade decorated with sculptures, and equipping it with “the latest equipment.”
Mariupol theater
The Mariupol Theater, also known as the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater, was a cultural landmark in Mariupol, Ukraine, opened in 1960. It gained tragic international notoriety in March 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine when it was destroyed by an airstrike while being used as a civilian shelter, resulting in numerous casualties.
Mariupol
Mariupol is a port city in southeastern Ukraine on the coast of the Sea of Azov, historically a major industrial and metallurgical center. Founded in the late 18th century, it became a significant hub for Greek and other settlers from Crimea. The city gained tragic global prominence during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, enduring a prolonged siege and devastating destruction.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus, which emerged in the 9th century. It has experienced periods of independence as well as foreign rule, most notably as part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, before regaining its sovereignty in 1991.
Russian Drama Theater in Mariupol
The Russian Drama Theater in Mariupol was a historic cultural institution in Ukraine, originally opened in 1960. It became internationally known in March 2022 when it was destroyed during the siege of the city, having been used as a shelter for hundreds of civilians.
Sea of Azov
The Sea of Azov is a shallow inland sea on the northeastern coast of the Black Sea, connected to it by the Kerch Strait. Historically significant for trade and fishing, its northern shores were part of the ancient Greek colony of the Bosporan Kingdom and later saw conflicts, including during World War II. In 2014, Russia’s annexation of Crimea brought the sea and its strategic Kerch Strait under heightened geopolitical focus.
