Archive · 30 Dec 2025
Mariupol Theater Reopens After Russian Airstrike
A theater in Mariupol, Ukraine, that was destroyed by a Russian airstrike in 2022 has been rebuilt and reopened.
The original theater was a shelter for hundreds of civilians during the siege of Mariupol.
The airstrike killed about 600 people.
The Ukrainian city council, now in exile, says the rebuilding is a way to hide the war crime and force Russian culture on the city.
Russian authorities celebrated the opening with a concert, featuring Russian writers and playwrights.
The theater's rebuilding was aided by workers from St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol has been rebuilt and reopened more than three years after a Russian airstrike destroyed it.
The airstrike on March 16, 2022, killed about 600 civilians sheltering inside the theater.
Russian-installed authorities celebrated the reopening with a gala concert featuring Russian cultural elements.
The Ukrainian city council, now based in Ukrainian-controlled territory, condemned the rebuilding as a cynical attempt to conceal war crimes and promote Russification.
Workers from St. Petersburg, Russia, aided in the theater's reconstruction.
- Who
- Russian-installed authorities and Ukrainian city council
- What
- Rebuilding and reopening of the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol
- When
- More than three years after the airstrike, with the opening on Sunday night
- Where
- Mariupol, Ukraine
- Why
- To mark the rebuilding of the theater after it was destroyed in a Russian airstrike
- Location
- Mariupol, Ukraine
- Original Theater Destroyed
- March 16, 2022
- Estimated Deaths
- 600
- Rebuilt Theater Opening
- Sunday night
- Current Control
- Russian-occupied
- Rebuilding Contributors
- Workers from St. Petersburg
- Ukrainian City Council's Stance
- Cynical attempt to conceal war crime and Russification