Mariupol mayor vows to rebuild destroyed city
Exiled Mariupol Mayor Vows to Rebuild Decimated City Despite War Destruction
Vadym Boychenko, the exiled mayor of Mariupol, has promised to rebuild his former city despite the destruction wrought upon it by Russian occupying forces. The seaside city, which was once an economic powerhouse for Ukraine due to its steel industry, saw its final Ukrainian forces withdraw after nearly three months of brutal fighting. Boychenko, who now resides elsewhere in Ukraine, has a multibillion-dollar plan for reconstruction and city revival projects if the Russians are driven out.
Mariupol is one of the most destroyed cities in Ukraine with over 90% of its infrastructure damaged by occupation forces. Nearly 20 hospitals, over 60 schools, and almost 90 cultural sites have been damaged in Mariupol by Russian shelling. More than 50% of high-rise residential buildings have been destroyed, which could potentially amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law. The restoration of critical infrastructure is Boychenko’s first priority and is expected to take two years, however the full plan, called “Mariupol Reborn,” is estimated to cost $15.6 billion.
Mariupol’s steel industry, responsible for 4.5% of Ukraine’s gross domestic product and 7% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, created approximately 50,000 jobs before the war. The city’s port on the Sea of Azov, one of Ukraine’s busiest shipping lanes exporting products such as coal and steel, was also a targeted by Russia in an attempt to degrade Ukraine’s economy.
FAQs
Who is Vadym Boychenko?
Vadym Boychenko is the exiled mayor of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. He has vowed to rebuild the city through his plan called “Mariupol Reborn.”
What happened to Mariupol?
Mariupol fell to Russian occupying forces a year ago after nearly three months of intense fighting. The seaside city, which was once an economic powerhouse for Ukraine due to its steel industry, saw its final Ukrainian forces withdraw.
What is Mariupol Reborn?
Mariupol Reborn is the multibillion-dollar plan created by Vadym Boychenko to reconstruct and revive the city of Mariupol if the Russians are driven out. The plan includes two stages: firstly, the rapid restoration of critical infrastructure and then reconstruction and city revival projects.
What happened to the city of Mariupol during the war?
Mariupol is one of the most destroyed cities in Ukraine with over 90% of its infrastructure damaged by occupation forces. Nearly 20 hospitals, over 60 schools, and almost 90 cultural sites have been damaged in Mariupol by Russian shelling. More than 50% of high-rise residential buildings have been destroyed.
What was the contribution of Mariupol to Ukraine’s economy before the war?
Mariupol produced about 12 million tons of steel per year, which is 4.5% of Ukraine’s gross domestic product and 7% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The city’s port on the Sea of Azov was responsible for the export of agricultural products, coal, and steel.
Why was Mariupol targeted by Russia?
Mariupol’s steel industry and port on the Sea of Azov made it a strategic target for Russia in an attempt to degrade Ukraine’s economy.
Mariupol Mayor Makes a Pledge to Restore the Devastated City
Vadym Boychenko, the exiled Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol, has pledged to rebuild the city following its occupation by Russian forces last year. Boychenko, who currently lives elsewhere in Ukraine, has a multibillion-dollar plan in place for the city’s revival, contingent on the expulsion of Russian troops. Mariupol, once home to nearly half a million people, has seen almost 90% of its infrastructure damaged by the occupation, according to Boychenko. The first priority, he said, would be to restore critical infrastructure, with a total estimated cost of $15.6bn. Before the occupation, Mariupol was one of the country’s primary industrial centres, particularly its steel industry, one of its largest employers.