“What they show on Russian television are fairy tales for fools. Most of it Mariupol It is still in ruins, “John, a Ukrainian living in the Russian occupation of Mariupol, told the BBC. The agency changed its name as it is afraid of retaliation by the Russian authorities. “They repair the facades of buildings on the main streets, where they bring cameras to pull shots. But behind the corner, there are ruins. Many people are still living in half -destroyed apartments with their walls to stand barely, “he added.

It has been only three years since Marioupolis was occupied by Russian forces after brutal siege and terrible bombings, at a major turning point in the first months of full Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people were killed and the UN estimates that 90% of homes were damaged or destroyed.

In recent months, videos of various pro -Russian influencers give the image of a glittering city where damaged structures have been repaired and where life has returned to normal. But the BBC spoke with polar people – some still live in Mariupol, others escaped after spending some time in possession – to form a true picture of life in the city. “There are a lot of lies,” said 66 -year -old Olha Onyshko, who escaped from Mariupol in late last year and now lives in Ternopol, Ukraine. “We had a beautiful city, but now it’s dissolved. I would not say that the Russian authorities have repaired many things. There is a central square – only the buildings there have been rebuilt. And there are also empty spaces where there were buildings. They cleaned the debris, but they didn’t even stand out, they just loaded them into trucks with the rubble and transported them out of the city, “he added.

In the meantime, Mariupol is also facing a serious lack of water.

“The water flows for one or two days and then does not come for three days. We keep buckets and containers with water at home. The color of the water is so yellow that even after boiling it is scary to drink it, “said James, another Mariupol resident whose name has changed. Some even said that water looks like a “coca cola”.

Serhii Orlov, who calls himself an exiled deputy mayor of Mariupol, said the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas channel that supplied the city with water suffered damage during the battles. “Only one tank is left for the water supply of Mariupol. For today’s population, this would reach for about a year and a half. Since the possession is longer than that, it means that there is no drinking water. The water used by people does not even meet the minimum pattern of drinking water, “Serhii noted.

There are frequent power outages, food is expensive and there is also a shortage of medicines, residents told the BBC. “Basic drugs are not available. Diabetics are struggling to take insulin in time and they are crazy expensive, “James added.

The BBC contacted the Russian Mariupol Administration to respond to allegations about shortages and if they have found an alternative source of water. So far he has not received an answer.

Despite the difficulties, the most difficult part of life in the city, residents say, is to see what Ukrainian children are taught at school. Andrii Kozhushyna studied at a university in Mariupol for a year after her occupation. He has now escaped in Dnipro. “They teach children false information and propaganda. For example, school textbooks report that Donetsk, Luhank, Kharkovo, Zaporizia, Hersona, Odessos, Crimea and even Dnipropetrovsk are already part of it are already part of it Russia“Andrii said. He also described special courses called “Discussion on Important Things”, in which students are taught about how Russia liberated the Russian -speaking population of these areas from the Nazis in 2022. “Teachers who refuse to attend these courses are intimidated or fired. It’s like reschedule the minds of our children, “said John, a Mariupol resident.

During the celebrations for the day of the victory of World War II in May, pictures from the central square of Mariupol showed children and adults dressed in military uniforms to participate in parades and performances – the traditions of the Soviet era, which were now being avoided by Ukraine. Mariupol was dressed in the colors of the Russian flag – red, blue and white.

Resistance

However, some Ukrainians make a secret resistance to Russia and in the night they paint with Ukrainian flags with blue and yellow colors on walls, and leaflets with messages such as “release Mariupol” and “Mariupol is Ukrainian”.

James and John are both members of resistance groups, as did Andrii when he lived in the city. “The messages are intended for moral support for our people, to inform them that the resistance is alive,” James noted.

Their main goal is to gather information about the Ukrainian army.

“I record information on Russian military moves. I analyze where they carry weapons, how many soldiers enter and leave the city and which equipment is being repaired in our industrial areas. I take photos secretly and keep them hidden until I can forward them to Ukrainian secret services through safe channels, “James said.

Occasionally, resistance groups are also trying to sabotage political or military operations. In at least two cases, the railway line to Mariupol due to sabotage.

This is a dangerous project. Andrii said he had to leave when he realized that he had been exposed. “Maybe a neighbor nailed me. But once, when I was in a store and bought bread, I saw a soldier show my photo to the Treasurer and asking him if he knows who the person is, “he said. He left immediately, passing the Mariupol checkpoints and then traveled through many Russian and Belarus cities, before entering Ukraine from the north.

For those still in the city, every day is a challenge. “Every day we delete the messages because the phone can be checked at the checkpoints. You’re afraid to call your friends in Ukraine if your phone is being watched, “James said. “A man from a neighboring house was arrested on the street because someone said he was supposedly giving information to the Ukrainian army. Your life is like a movie – a constant tension, fear, mistrust, “he added.

As talks between Ukraine and Russia continue, there have been talks inside and outside Ukraine that he should grant territories in exchange for a peace agreement. “The concession of territories for a” agreement with Russia “will be a betrayal. Dozens risk their lives every day to convey information to Ukraine, not to sign a diplomat in a suit a paper that will deliver us, “John said. “We don’t want” peace at all costs “. We want liberation. “