Ukraine war: New images show Russian army base built in occupied Mariupol

By Matt MurphyBBC News

Russia is consolidating its military presence in the captured port city of Mariupol by constructing a large army base, satellite photos released from the Earth observation company Maxar appear to show.

The new, U-shaped compound sits near the centre of the city. On its roof, the red, white and blue star of the Russian army can be seen, with letters reading "From the Russian army to the people of Mariupol".

Image source, MaxarImage caption, The newly constructed Russian military base in Mariupol suggests Russia is seeking to dig in in the city

Moscow's forces laid siege to the city for almost three months earlier this year, and constant artillery barrages left much of it in ruins.

Ukrainian officials estimated last month that some 25,000 civilians were killed in the strikes, while the UN said it had confirmed the deaths of 1,348 civilians, but said the true death toll was "likely thousands higher".

Images of the city's graveyard appear to show it being extended. Russian troops have reportedly been removing dead bodies from destroyed buildings in recent months and taking them away for burial. Last month, an analysis of images obtained by BBC Panorama suggested 1,500 new graves have been dug at the cemetery.

Image source, MaxarImage caption, Photos of the Mariupol cemetery taken in March 2022

Image source, MaxarImage caption, Images of the cemetery taken in November show new graves being dug in the right foreground and the left foreground

A large protective screen has also been erected around the remains of the city's theatre, where hundreds of people are believed to have died after Russian forces targeted it in a missile strike on 18 March. The attack – which Amnesty International called "clear war crime" by Russia – left the site in ruins.

Image source, MaxarImage caption, The remains of the Mariupol theatre after a missile strike in March

Image source, MaxarImage caption, In new images, a large screen can be seen around the theatre

Ukrainian officials estimate that up to 90% of the city's infrastructure was left in ruins by the Russian bombardment, and the new images suggest that Moscow has started to demolish many of the residential buildings that were left beyond repair.

Image source, MaxarImage caption, Residential buildings after being targeted by Russian strikes in March

Image source, MaxarImage caption, The new images show the damaged buildings have been demolished in anticipation of reconstruction

Other images show huge amounts of building supplies at the city shopping centre. During the Russian bombardment of Mariupol, many civilians could be seen waiting outside the centre for food and other necessities.

Image source, MaxarImage caption, An image showing building supplies at Mariupol's metro shopping centre.

Image source, MaxarImage caption, The shopping centre in March

The images come amid reports that Russia is slowly building up its defensive positions in Mariupol, as Ukrainian counteroffensives in the south and east increasingly put the city under threat.

Last month, UK defence officials said the Russian military was using two plants in occupied Mariupol to produce large numbers of "dragon's teeth" – concrete blocks designed to slow advancing enemy armour and other vehicles.

The city is strategically important for Russia, forming part of its "land bridge" linking Russia to annexed Crimea.