The Mariupol theater had been bombed at the very beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. The inhabitants who were under siege by the Russian forces had taken refuge there. The word “children” written on the square, visible from the sky, was there to avoid any attack. The building had been partially destroyed. Today is another Mariupol room that appeared in a video broadcast on Russian television. This is the city’s philharmonic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liP6g9ZHOcU
What this video shows inside is chilling. Corridors made with grids, with iron used to reinforce the reinforced concrete. Cages also appear. In fact, it is no longer a theater, but a court for prisoners of war. The title of the video couldn’t be more explicit: “Azov Members’ Court”.
These images give an idea of what he is preparing there. The Russians want to make a show of their travesty of justice. The workers are still present on the spot, but Moscow puts very elaborate images of the place online. Artistic blurs, a bit like the jihadists of the Islamic State in Syria did to multiply the impact of their videos and thus ensure communication. Seen from Russia, we must be sure to be able to show a semblance of victory to the Russian people. Maybe even before the end of summer. A date is advanced by the New York Times: August 24, Ukrainian Independence Day…
This communication makes it possible to divert eyes and attention from the atrocities committed during this war. Why not also of possible responsibility for incidents around the Zaporijjia power plant. It is also an opportunity for Russia to show that it is doing justice on Mariupol soil. In their account, these lands are now Russian. Russian law will apply behind the pediment of the building with Roman-style columns. Completely renovated, to do a front justice.
In an early version of this article, based on misinformation, we erroneously claimed that the room set up by Russian forces was the Mariupol theater, bombed in March when civilians, including women and children, had taken refuge there. This is the Mariupol Philharmonic.