Occupiers Transform Mariupol Theater into Propaganda Site, Reports Center for Countering Disinformation

Russian media outlets have launched a coordinated propaganda campaign showcasing allegedly restored buildings and renovated public spaces in occupied Ukrainian territories, according to a recent report from the Center for Countering Disinformation (CPD) of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

The propaganda efforts focus particularly on the Mariupol Drama Theater, which was destroyed in a Russian airstrike in March 2022. The attack occurred despite the building serving as a civilian shelter, with hundreds of people taking refuge inside. Many civilians died in the bombing, which became one of the most notorious incidents in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials report that Russian state media are now heavily promoting stories about the “reconstruction” of the theater. The campaign has reportedly involved select foreign journalists who have been collaborating with Russian authorities in occupied territories since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

“The purpose of this campaign is to create an illusion, particularly in the West, that the occupied Ukrainian territories are actively developing under Russian rule,” the CPD report states. By showcasing the rebuilt theater and selected renovated buildings, Russian propaganda aims to present these locations as successful examples of the “Russian world.”

The reality on the ground tells a starkly different story, according to Ukrainian officials. Most cities in occupied Donbas remain largely in ruins and have experienced significant population decline. Those residents who have remained face severe humanitarian challenges, including limited access to basic services, and live under constant intimidation from occupying forces.

In Mariupol itself, despite the propaganda narratives of successful reconstruction, residents continue to report widespread housing loss and insurmountable difficulties in obtaining compensation for destroyed properties. The contrast between propaganda images and daily reality highlights the gap between Russian messaging and conditions faced by civilians in occupied areas.

The theater reconstruction holds particular significance in Russia’s information campaign. Once a cultural landmark in Mariupol, the drama theater gained international attention when it was bombed while clearly marked as a civilian shelter. The words “CHILDREN” had been written in large Cyrillic letters outside the building, visible from the air, in an attempt to prevent attacks.

Despite the theater’s destruction less than three years ago, ticket sales have reportedly resumed for performances scheduled in late December, including shows titled “Chic Wedding” and “The Scarlet Flower.” This rapid return to cultural programming appears designed to project normalcy and recovery in a city that has suffered catastrophic damage.

The propaganda effort comes amid ongoing humanitarian issues in Mariupol. The city council recently reported that packs of stray dogs have been attacking residents, with occupation authorities unable to address the problem effectively. Such day-to-day challenges contradict the narrative of successful administration and reconstruction.

This information campaign reflects Russia’s broader strategy of attempting to normalize its occupation of Ukrainian territories through selective imagery and controlled narratives. By focusing on specific rebuilt structures while ignoring widespread destruction, Russian media creates a distorted picture of conditions in occupied areas.

International organizations continue to document the extensive damage to civilian infrastructure across occupied territories and the humanitarian challenges faced by remaining residents. Human rights groups have repeatedly called for unimpeded access to these areas to assess actual conditions and provide necessary aid.

As the war continues, the battle over information and perception remains a critical component of the broader conflict, with both immediate implications for international support and long-term consequences for how the occupation is understood globally.