According to a report by the BBC, the Kremlin’s ambitions to redevelop the seized town of Mariupol into a Russian enclave have sparked a trend among Russian families to invest in properties in the vicinity.
In the spring of 2022, Russian forces took charge of Mariupol after a harrowing siege that ousted municipal authorities.
The town, which was under siege, is currently undergoing a change directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He visited the region in February to oversee the inspection of a newly set up Russian-built apartment.
The BBC detailed that Russian authorities are actively constructing Russian road signs, revising school curricula, and welcoming Russian migrants who aspire to secure affordable rent options.
This shift has prompted numerous Russians to move to VKontakte, Russia’s foremost social media platform, to express their interest in property within the region.
Vladimir, a Murmansk resident, who opted to sell his Murmansk residence to relocate to Mariupol, shared in an interview with the BBC that his motivation was to settle with his family in an economical seaside apartment.
He opined, “Mariupol is poised to blossom into a picturesque city,” underscoring his enthusiasm for the transformation.
Although Russia asserts its formal jurisdiction over the city, narratives from Russian authorities suggest ongoing resistance from Ukrainians.
Insider journalist Tom Porter disclosed that Ukrainian resistance fighters recently targeted 17 Russian officers with poisoning, resulting in the demise of at least two officers, as per local accounts.
Ukrainian civilians have adopted a form of passive protest by embracing the Ukrainian letter “ï,” absent from the Russian alphabet, and spray-painting it around the city as a symbol of their opposition to the Russian occupation, as indicated by reports.
