Mariupol will not forget Russian crimes. On 16 March, Ukraine and other countries held memorial events marking the fourth anniversary of the Russian army’s airstrike on the Mariupol Drama Theater. According to the Mariupol City Council, the events took place in 20 cities.
“CHILDREN" once again remind world of horrors of war
In many cities, the word “CHILDREN” was recreated in front of theaters and on city squares. It is a symbolic reminder of the large sign that had been made in front of the Mariupol theater on the day of the tragedy to show that civilians were inside.
The memorial event in the capital was held near the National Opera of Ukraine on Volodymyrska Street. On the day before, a memorial service was also held at the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Memorial events also took place in other cities across Ukraine, Suspilne reports. In Zhytomyr, people gathered near the Ivan Kocherha Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater, where they lit candles and created a symbolic installation.
In Khmelnytskyi, the event was held near the Mykhailo Starytskyi Regional Music and Drama Theater, as per Halka. In Italy, between 14 and 16 March, events and a flash mob were held near La Scala Theater, according to Life Pravda.
Organizers emphasized that these events aim to preserve the memory of the victims of the Mariupol tragedy and remind the world of the war crime committed during the city’s siege.
Occupiers turn Mariupol Theater into a propaganda platform
In December 2025, a drama theater was opened in occupied Mariupol, in the building that Russia had bombed in spring 2022 during the city’s capture.
The “opening ceremony” was attended by Denys Pushilin, the head of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, which is an illegal pro-Russian entity on the territory of Ukraine, representatives of the occupation administration, and the governor of Saint Petersburg, Alexander Beglov.
During the opening, the theater hosted "dances" — directly on the site of the war crime.
At the same time, LED panels were installed on the facade of the new drama theater in Mariupol to broadcast Russian President Vladimir Putin’s New Year’s address.
According to local sources, the screens will remain permanently. After the holidays, they planned to show Russian advertising on them.
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