We have plans to recover our heroic Mariupol by year end - Mariupol mayor 

Mariupol's mayor shared the update with Espreso.

Russian troops destroyed almost all of Mariupol; 95% of high-rise buildings were destroyed, 50% of buildings turned to ashes, which is around 1,000 buildings.  More than 20,000 civilians were killed.  Difficult humanitarian situation: no drinking water, no light, no sewage system, no connection with Mariupol. People do not live, but survive.

"Today, the Russian occupying forces and collaborators, the troops of the so-called local OPZZH faction (former pro-Russian faction in the Ukrainian parliament - Ed.) are holding 120,000 locals hostage. Almost all representatives and leaders of the OPZZH faction have sided with Russia. 15 power supply lines were destroyed in 7 days, because someone corrected the fire. They shelled the storages of food, medicine, and water distribution points," said Vadym Boychenko.

The occupation authorities were luring people to the city, offering to come and see if their belongings and houses had survived. Then they don't let people leave, the city closes. 

"They are enticing the local population to Mariupol because the Russian forces are afraid of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' return to the city. They are going to hide behind people as a human shield when we attack. We have plans to return our heroic Mariupol by the end of the year," added the mayor.