The invaders have turned occupied Mariupol into Russia’s largest military hub, - Andryushchenko

It is essentially a city within a city, where repair and other operations constantly take place. The head of the Center for the Study of Occupation Petro Andryushchenko provided more details on where the Russians have set up a powerful military base and what is happening there.

Military trucks and armored personnel carriers drive through the streets of temporarily occupied Mariupol – they are headed to the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works. For a long time, it has been controlled by people associated with Ramzan Kadyrov, as was reported even in 2024 by The Wall Street Journal.

Lately, the occupiers have been bringing damaged equipment there after failed assaults.

This is not just a hub but a real "Russian ’Ramstein’" in the occupied territories. It is a huge military base that is systematically expanding. In particular, there is also a repair base, where all the damaged equipment is brought. Closer than Rostov-on-Don, such a point for the Russians does not exist,– noted Petro Andryushchenko.

According to him, it’s the most powerful place where Russians can store and repair military equipment. There are appropriate cranes and trailers partially restored after Mariupol’s capture. A similar facility could be created in occupied Donetsk, but the so-called "authorities" have ruthlessly looted the city, leaving nothing behind. However, in Mariupol – it remains.

"There are two more military bases, one of which is almost adjacent to the Ilyich plant. So, all military activity today is centered around the plant, including a sprawling rail network: you can do whatever you want. We cannot track what is happening there. It’s impossible because it’s literally a city within a city," – explained Andryushchenko.

It is known that about 1500 Mariupol residents are currently working at the plant. They were carefully selected and checked to prevent any kind of sabotage. Since Mariupol is in a critical situation regarding employment, locals are holding on to their jobs.

The occupiers continue building the military-logistical base, which performs a wide array of functions. Many units of various directions are stationed there, including the Russian National Guard in the form of Kadyrov’s forces. Air defence systems are also regularly brought there. It is worth noting that the territory of the Ilyich plant is comparable to the residential area of Mariupol.