Russians snap up new homes built on Ukraine 'graveyard'
Russia is constructing high-rises in the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, on the sites of buildings it destroyed. Who's buying these properties? And what happened to the Ukrainians who used to lived here?
In Mariupol, Russians have been purchasing new apartments constructed on the ruins of former Ukrainian homes. Halyna Artemova, a long-time resident of the city, witnessed the devastating impact of Russian attacks on her beloved Mariupol. After a missile attack in 2022, her apartment block was destroyed, and she lost everything she had invested in it.
Meanwhile, next door, photographer Yevhen Sosnovsky and his wife had lived in their house for 20 years before it too fell victim to a missile attack and fire. In response, Russian building contractor Su-2007 cleared the land and constructed a residential complex called Leningradsky Kvartal. Many of those who moved into these new apartments bought them either to live in or rent out.
The majority of buyers have Russian citizenship, as mortgages are offered at an annual interest rate of 2% with a minimum deposit of 2% and a maximum loan of 6 million rubles. Newcomers are offered discounts of up to 12%. However, the quality of the apartments is severely lacking, with construction companies cutting corners to maximize profits.
Former residents of Mariupol, who lost their homes in the war, were promised new apartments in exchange for leaving their former residences, but many were unable to afford mortgages or did not have the opportunity to relocate. The occupying authorities pushed the local population out of Mariupol, leaving them with no choice but to remain in the city.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
