The Russian Bombing of the Dramatic Theater of Mariupol, on March 16 it cost the highest number of civilian casualties since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. This is according to an investigation by the Associated Press, published on its website, which says that it is about 600 dead, almost twice the official budget. The American news agency, in order to reconstruct what happened, listened to the testimonies of witnesses 23 survivors and gods savior. He studied revised blueprints in 3D, with photos and videos taken before, during and after the raid, also based on expert assessments. Many survivors have estimated that approx 1,000 People were in it at the time of the airstrike, which took place around 10 a.m. Those near the main exit and a side entrance managed to escape, the others were buried by the rubble. Also at least 100 People were in a camp kitchen just outside the building during the raid and none survived.
also read
Russia-Ukraine War, the Russians bomb the Mariupol Theater. Franceschini: “Italy is ready to rebuild” and Zelensky thanks him
The Russians denied any responsibility for the massacre, claiming that the theater was destroyed by Ukrainian forces and served as a Ukrainian military base. However, none of the witnesses saw Ukrainian soldiers in the building, the PA reported. And no one doubted that the theater was destroyed in a targeted Russian airstrike. The videos released from Moscow also show no bodies inside the walls, in stark contrast to what was reported by those present at the scene. A first hypothesis spoke of around 500 dead: However, many survivors reported to Ap that it may have been the corpses of other victims powdered or REMOVED by the Russian forces themselves. In the days after the invasion – when the town remained without electricity – local authorities had used it as an air raid shelter due to its size, sturdy walls and large basement. there Red Cross, Ap called back, distributed food and water and informed about possible evacuations. There was a water tank in front of the theater, while on the side of the goulash cannon.
600 people came on the first day, and many more in the following days. A week before the bombing, the theater’s set designer had written the word “CHILDREN” in Cyrillic on the sidewalk in white paint, hoping to deter an attack from above. Built 60 years ago, the theater was once called the Russian Drama Theater, but local authorities removed the word “Russian” in 2015. Last July, it was also ordered that all performances be in Ukrainian. The building is now a collection of ruins, some parts blackened by fire. The area is in the hands of the Russian forces. The port city considered strategically important by the Russians to unite the Donbass In the Crimea, takes very heavy losses. Ap reports authorities’ estimates that more than 20,000 civilians have died.