A historic theatre in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol has reopened its doors, more than three years after it was destroyed in a Russian airstrike that killed hundreds of civilians seeking shelter.
A Gala Opening on a Site of Tragedy
Moscow-installed authorities marked the completion of the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre's reconstruction with a gala concert on the building's new main stage on Sunday night. Russian state media images showcased the restored building's marbled pillars and staircases, with performers in traditional Russian kokoshnik headdresses.
The original theatre was obliterated on 16 March 2022, targeted by a Russian airstrike as Moscow's forces besieged the port city in the early weeks of its full-scale invasion. At the time, the building was a known refuge for hundreds of civilians escaping relentless shelling. The word "CHILDREN" was painted in large letters on the pavement outside to signal its civilian purpose to aircraft.
Contested Narratives and a War Crime Allegation
An investigation by The Associated Press concluded that approximately 600 people were killed in and around the theatre—almost double early estimates. Moscow has consistently denied responsibility, falsely claiming Ukrainian forces demolished the building, an assertion thoroughly refuted by evidence.
Shortly after the strike, Russian forces seized Mariupol's city centre. The ruins were later bulldozed, with remains moved to mass graves. The city's Ukrainian council, now operating from exile, condemned the theatre's reopening as "singing and dancing on bones."
In a statement on Telegram, the council called the restoration a "cynical attempt to conceal the traces of a war crime" and part of a policy of Russification, noting the new repertoire heavily features Russian writers.
Political Symbolism in a Key Battleground
The opening ceremony was attended by high-profile Russian-appointed officials, including Denis Pushilin, head of the partially occupied Donetsk region, and Alexander Beglov, Governor of St. Petersburg. Workers from St. Petersburg, which was twinned with Mariupol after Russia's full capture in May 2022, assisted in the reconstruction.
The Donetsk region, where Mariupol is located, remains a fiercely contested battleground. Illegally annexed by Russia in 2022, its fate continues to be a major obstacle in any negotiations to end the war. The theatre's reopening stands as a potent symbol of Moscow's efforts to cement its control and reshape the cultural landscape of occupied Ukraine.
