In the occupied city of Mariupol, discontent is boiling over as local residents, many of whom lost their homes during the war, find themselves trapped by a rigged judicial system and empty promises from the Kremlin. Despite being under Russian occupation for the past three years, hope of fair treatment has steadily vanished. What was once their home has become a prison of poverty, corruption, and despair.
According to a report by ASTRA, those who lost everything in the war are now being forced to seek compensation through occupation courts that rarely deliver justice. One local woman described the process as “outright mockery.” Residents must file lawsuits to claim compensation for destroyed property, but the courts frequently issue vague and unjust rulings. Even worse, the court fees have been massively inflated. Rather than the legal 300 rubles (approximately £2.60), people are being charged 3,000 rubles (around £26), a figure ten times higher than required under the laws of Russia itself.
The fees do not stop there. Residents must also pay for additional certificates and consultations, which most cannot afford. Hiring a lawyer is out of reach for many, leaving vulnerable individuals to navigate the corrupt system alone. Even when decisions are handed down, they often lack justification or are deliberately unclear, forcing residents to appeal again and again, each time spending more of what little they have.
The situation has prompted growing outrage. One resident said: “Not only have we lost our homes, but they are trying to fleece us at every step.” The courts appear to serve as tools of the occupation administration, not of justice. Locals question whether this is simple bureaucratic sabotage or a deliberate effort by the Kremlin and its allies to strip Mariupol citizens of their remaining rights and dignity.
In January, frustration erupted into a quiet protest. Locals held signs reading “HOMELESS” in an appeal directly to the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin. Their homes had been demolished without their consent. New housing was promised by Russian authorities, but instead, mortgage-based luxury developments are rising on the same land. With incomes devastated by war and occupation, these properties are unaffordable to most residents.
The so-called “restoration” of Mariupol, loudly promoted by Russian state media, appears to be nothing more than a property grab. Instead of building homes for those displaced, Russian developers are buying up central land and constructing elite complexes for profit. Long-time residents are being evicted or ignored while glossy propaganda videos show a false image of a “rebuilt” city.
