Mariupol marks a year since capture by Russian troops скачать в хорошем качестве

Mariupol marks a year since capture by Russian troops

(20 May 2023) ASSOCIATED PRESS Mariupol - 20 May 2023 1. Various of damaged houses, workers clearing debris 2. Graffiti on the wall reading (Russian) “Shelter in house 5/7” 3. People walking through children’s playground 4. Children on swing sets 5. Teenagers riding bicycles 6. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Nikolai (no surname given), local resident: “We are very happy that there is peace now and no military action (in Mariupol). I wish it won’t be anywhere and that everything is over as soon as possible. Because… it’s really wonderful to come to the park and (see) our children walking, running and laughing.” 7. Teenager on bicycle 8. Various of people at fountain 9. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Tatyana (no surname given), local resident: “I watch it being restored, building by building. Repair works are being done, restoration, of course, they make it more beautiful than it used to be. In general, we are satisfied with what was done in Mariupol.” 10. People walking 11. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Tatyana (no surname given), local resident: “I'm definitely not going to leave. I have lived here for 35 years and do not want to go anywhere, because it is pointless to go somewhere into the unknown. So I think everything is still ahead. There will be jobs in the city and everything else.” 12. Wide of Azovstal steel plant 13. Wall with graffiti showing Z and V letters in colours of the Russian flag 14. Barbed wire, Azovstal plant in background STORYLINE: Mariupol's residents marked a year since the port on the Sea of Azov fell to Russian troops. The city was in the crosshairs of the Kremlin from the first day of what it calls Russia's "special military operation." Just 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Russian border, it is crucial for Russian supply lines.   Mariupol became a worldwide symbol of resistance after outgunned and outmanned Ukrainian forces held out in a steel mill there for nearly three months before Moscow finally took control of it in May. Much of the city was pounded to rubble by Russian shelling.   According to Russian government officials, Moscow hopes to finish the reconstruction of Mariupol’s blasted downtown by the end of the year.   “They make it more beautiful than it used to be. In general, we are satisfied with what was done in Mariupol,” one of the local residents said. Tatyana, who spent all her life in the city, doesn’t want to leave. She hopes that there will be jobs and that “everything is still ahead.” When Moscow fully captured the city in May, an estimated 100,000 people remained, out of a prewar population of 450,000. A small group of Ukrainian fighters held out for 83 days in the sprawling Azovstal steel works before surrendering. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...