On March 16, 2022, Russia bombed the Mariupol Drama Theater, where hundreds of civilians had taken shelter. Two 500 kg bombs were dropped by a Russian fighter jet, destroying the building and killing several hundred people.
Before the attack, residents had written the word “children” (Дети) in large Cyrillic letters on the pavement on both sides of the theater, clearly marking it as a place of refuge. The inscription was visible from the sky, but that did not stop the attack.
Since then, Mariupol has remained under Russian occupation. This martyr city, over 80% destroyed, has become a symbol of Russia’s war of aggression. While Russia is rebuilding the theater identically to erase evidence of its crimes, it continues to reject peace and target civilians across Ukraine.
Ukraine, on the other hand, wants peace more than anyone else. A just and lasting peace.
