Ukrainians Honor 600 Victims of Mariupol Theater Airstrike in Odesa

Several dozen people gathered near the Odesa Opera House on March 16 to honor the victims of the Russian airstrike on the theater in Mariupol in 2022.

The participants of the action laid out the word "Children" with candles in front of the theater, which was the inscription in front of the theater in Mariupol.

Every year, Ukrainians honor the memory of those killed near theaters in many cities across the country. This time, almost 80 Ukrainian theaters joined the peaceful action on the Day of Remembrance of the victims of the air strike in Mariupol.

Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater - The regional academic drama theater in Mariupol was destroyed by a direct hit from a high-powered bomb dropped from a Russian bomber on March 16, 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

After the bombing, the central part of the theater was destroyed, and the entrance to the bomb shelter located in the building was blocked by debris. Satellite imagery showed that in front of the theater and behind it in the park, there were inscriptions on the asphalt in large letters in white paint that read "Children".

As of May 4, 2022, according to an Associated Press investigation, about 600 people were killed in an air strike on the Mariupol Drama Theater.

In July 2023, the occupation authorities ordered the complete pouring of concrete into the basement of the theater and the start of construction from scratch under the guise of reconstruction.

The action also reminded that the participants in the defense of Mariupol, in particular the Azov fighters, are still being held captive by the Russians.

Earlier, Odesa residents, who traditionally gather in the city center to call for more money to be allocated from the city budget to help the armed forces, again held a rally near the city council building on Exchange Square. The participants of the rally emphasized the importance of unity in times of war. Odessans believe that only together can they overcome difficulties and bring victory closer.

Кирило Бойко