Putin’s Christmas Tree Sparks Outrage in Occupied Mariupol

In the city of Mariupol, occupied by Russian forces, authorities have begun erecting a Christmas tree near a theatre where many civilians were killed during the conflict. This location in the Donetsk Oblast holds painful memories for the local population, as it was the site of a tragic bombing on March 16, 2022, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, including children. The installation of the tree has drawn sharp criticism, with Mariupol City Council stating that the occupiers are attempting to erase the traces of their actions by celebrating near the site of their war crimes.

The council shared their condemnation on Telegram, highlighting the irony of celebrating the holiday at a location where families once sought refuge from bombings. “They want children not to honour their fallen peers there, but to dance in circles and celebrate beside the place where people were killed,” the council stated. This sentiment underscores the ongoing pain felt by those in Mariupol as they navigate life under occupation.

In addition to the Christmas tree, plans are underway to reopen the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre, which was heavily damaged during military airstrikes. According to reports, the theatre has undergone over three years of reconstruction and is set to present Russian productions of *The Scarlet Flower* and *The Empress’s Favourite*, performances that the council described as occurring “on the blood of murdered people.”

The theatre served as a refuge for civilians during the siege of Mariupol, providing essential supplies and information about evacuation routes. During the early days of the siege, from February 24 to March 4, 2022, approximately 100 people sought safety in the building, including theatre staff and families fleeing violence. The siege continued until May 20, 2022, when all remaining Ukrainian forces surrendered. According to Ukrainian officials, around 25,000 civilians lost their lives during the conflict, while over 50,000 were forcibly deported. In contrast, Russian sources claim that the death toll was significantly lower, estimating approximately 3,000 fatalities.

The United Nations has confirmed that a minimum of 1,348 civilians were killed in Mariupol, but the actual number is believed to be much higher. The attack on the theatre has been classified as a “clear war crime” by Amnesty International, emphasizing the severity of the incident.

On March 16, 2022, the word “ДЕТИ” (“children”) was painted in large lettering outside the theatre to alert Russian military aircraft that families were sheltering inside. Despite this warning, Russian forces bombarded the building, resulting in tragic loss of life. The reconstruction of the theatre was initiated by a construction team from Saint Petersburg, with the reopening scheduled for this month.

As the situation in Mariupol continues to unfold, recent diplomatic developments have emerged. On November 25, 2023, Ukraine announced that it had agreed to the “core terms” of a peace deal facilitated by the United States. This deal, proposed during the Trump administration, included a 28-point framework aimed at concluding hostilities, which would require Ukraine to cede territory in the eastern Donbas region, including Mariupol, and Crimea. While adjustments have been made to the original proposal, details regarding these changes remain unclear.

The actions surrounding the Christmas tree and the theatre reopening have reignited discussions about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Mariupol, highlighting the stark contrasts between celebration and mourning in a city marked by tragedy.