Russia has resettled 50,000 migrants from Central Asia to occupied Mariupol
Russia has brought at least 50,000 labor migrants from economically depressed regions of Russia and Central Asian countries to the occupied city of Mariupol.
Rubryka reports, citing a statement from a Center for National Resistance (CNR) representative during a press conference on January 17.
"According to our data, there are already about 50,000 Russians and representatives from Central Asian countries in the temporarily occupied Mariupol," he stated.
According to the CNR, the population of the occupied city is currently at least half of what it was before the full-scale invasion. The occupying authorities aim to attract labor migrants from economically depressed regions of Russia and Central Asian countries to accelerate the assimilation of the Ukrainian population.
The CNR representative added that the occupation authorities brought criminal elements from both Russia and Central Asian countries to expand their influence, and there are already reports of ethnic criminal groups among migrants.
The center has also observed labor migrants from Belarus in Mariupol and the occupied Kherson region.
Situation in Occupied Mariupol
Russia's aggression has caused one of the largest humanitarian catastrophes in Mariupol. The city is nearly 90% destroyed due to Russia shelling, and there is a lack of basic utilities such as electricity, water, and gas. Moreover, the occupiers are demolishing damaged buildings to hide the evidence of their crimes.
Russia has deployed around 5,000 new reserve soldiers to the occupied Mariupol and the surrounding area. It was also reported that Russian occupiers have started constructing a direct railway connection between the occupied Mariupol, Volnovakha, and Donetsk, including building a bridge over the Kalmius River.
