Russia intends to turn Mariupol city into a military repair and shipping hub, Ukrainian media reported on Tuesday.
On his part, Mariupol Mayor Advisor, Petro Andryushenko said that local residents of the city are being forced to work without pay in exchange for food.
"The Russian occupiers began to renew their military equipment in the "Illich Metal Works", the second largest mining company in Ukraine under the supervision of the occupiers, the locals work there for food, without any pay," he continued.
"Gradually, the hypotheses and analytical conclusions regarding the future of Mariupol as a shipping and military reform base will be confirmed," he added.
Today, Mariupol does not have a stable supply of electricity, water, and gas. Since the Russian invasion, about 22,000 civilians have been killed in the city, and more than 50,000 have been deported to Russia.
Currently, more than 100,000 residents are in the exclusion zone, where Mariupol is facing an environmental disaster and an outbreak of infectious diseases.
The Russian invasion of Mariupol caused one of the largest humanitarian disasters on record. As a result of the constant bombardment, the city was almost completely wiped out.
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