Russian Deputy Prime Minister visits Mariupol, planning to help with reconstruction

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin – Photo: TASS

Russia has launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine since February 24. Russian forces claimed control of the city of Mariupol on April 21 after nearly two months.

However, some Ukrainian soldiers are still entrenched in the underground bunker of the city’s Azovstal steel factory complex. Soldiers of the Azov battalion defied Russia’s “surrender or die” ultimatums to decide to fight here.

Announced on Telegram, Deputy Prime Minister g Khusnullin – in charge of construction and urban development of the Russian government, said that he had visited Mariupol and the town of Volnovakha in eastern Ukraine.

“The restoration of peaceful life begins in these regions. Much work remains to be done. We will help, especially providing humanitarian aid,” he wrote.

According to the Zvezda TV channel of the Russian Defense Ministry, Mr. Khusnullin visited the port of Mariupol. He suggested that the port should be used to bring building materials into the city’s reconstruction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed the world that the city of Mariupl was destroyed by the war – Photo: REUTERS

The port of Mariupol, located between the Crimean peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine, is controlled by Russian-backed separatists. Mariupol is seen as the key to connecting the two Russian-held territories and blocking Ukrainian exports by sea.

The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR), Mr. Denis Pushilin, said that the port of Mariupol will deliver the first shipment to the DNR in May. Mr. Pushilin was also present with Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin during the visit on 8. -5.

On the same day, US First Lady Jill Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also made a surprise visit to Ukraine.

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