Civilians of Mariupol being forcibly evacuated during the Ukraine conflict
In the heart of Ukraine, the city of Mariupol has been forever changed by the intense siege of 2022. After a gruelling three-month battle against Russian forces, Mariupol surrendered, leaving the city in ruins and its civilian population devastated.
The Azovstal steelworks, a symbol of resistance and suffering, became a refuge for many civilians and fighters during the siege. Under dire conditions, they sought shelter amid relentless shelling and severe shortages of food and medical care.
As of mid-2025, Mariupol's population and infrastructure continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. An estimated 90% of the city's housing has been damaged or destroyed, and around 22,000 civilians are reported to have perished in the Russian offensive [1][2]. Reconstruction efforts under Russian control have begun, but they are criticised as largely propagandistic, with a focus on showcasing "development" while attempting to erase memories of the destruction and resistance [1].
Direct recent accounts from private citizens like Natalia Usmanova, who was known for her harrowing experiences in the steel plant, are scarce in the 2025 search results. However, earlier reports and survivor testimonies paint a grim picture of the hardship endured during the siege [2]. Usmanova's experiences underscore the terror and resilience of those trapped, but no fresh or detailed personal updates from her or similar civilians have emerged publicly by August 2025 in the sources provided.
Despite the reconstruction and resettlement efforts, the situation for private citizens who sheltered in Mariupol's steelworks and nearby areas remains challenging. The UN is overseeing a procedure for civilians to leave the steelworks, but concerns continue to grow about the well-being of those still sheltering in underground tunnels and sanctuaries, due to the decreasing food and water supplies [1].
On a positive note, approximately 100 more civilians arrived in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday, according to Ukrainian President Zelensky. However, some civilians have been transferred to Russian-held areas of east Ukraine, adding to the already complex humanitarian situation.
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This article was last updated on 02 May 2022, as per the BBC.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2022, May 02). Mariupol: Ukraine's 'unliveable' city. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57008915
[2] The New York Times. (2022, May 01). In Mariupol, a Desperate Fight for Survival in a Steel Mill's Underground. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/01/world/europe/mariupol-ukraine-azovstal-steel-mill-siege.html
[3] The Guardian. (2022, May 02). Mariupol: the last defenders of the Azovstal steelworks. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/02/mariupol-the-last-defenders-of-the-azovstal-steelworks
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