Mariupol As a Resource: russia Is Integrating the Occupied Port into Its Own Economy

In 2025, russia intensified its use of the temporarily occupied Mariupol seaport, presenting it as “restoration”.  In reality, this is an illegal appropriation of Ukrainian infrastructure and its integration into the logistics system of the aggressor state.

In parallel, the occupiers are replacing Ukrainian standards with russian ones, erasing Ukrainian jurisdiction. The decision to open the port to foreign ships is an attempt to create the illusion of “legality” and to circumvent sanctions. There are plans to deepen the channel and expand transshipment. This confirms the intention to turn Mariupol into a key logistics hub for the temporarily occupied territories.

Against this background, the social situation is rapidly deteriorating. School meals have been suspended in the city due to a lack of funding from the occupying authorities. Residents have been waiting for years for the promised housing: instead of compensation for destroyed houses, expensive high-rise buildings with mortgages are being built, which are unaffordable  to Mariupol residents. At the same time, the seizure of “ownerless” housing has been simplified by law – apartments are being confiscated en masse from owners who have died, left, or lost their documents.

Besides, the city is being used as a military training ground for the rf’s personnel. The response to all appeals and complaints from citizens is  the same: “Wait”.

For russia, Mariupol is not a city or a community, but a trophy and expendable material. Under the guise of propaganda about “reconstruction”, russia is demonstrating the complete degradation of its state policy, which is based on disregard for human life, cynical exploitation of captured territories, and ignoring the international law.