MFA reacts to the celebration at the "mass grave" in the rebuilt Mariupol Drama Theater

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the Russians' celebrations in the restored drama theater of the temporarily occupied Mariupol, where in 2022 Russians dropped an air bomb, killing civilians, "deliberate terror." This is stated in the official statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agency recalled that in March 2022, Russia dropped an air bomb on the Mariupol Drama Theater, where hundreds of people, including children, were hiding.

"It [Russia] deliberately turned this place into a mass grave, committing a blatant war crime," the Foreign Ministry added.

The word "Children" was written near the theater to make it clear that civilians, including the youngest residents of Mariupol, were hiding from the Russian attack. For the Russian Federation, this was not a reason to stop, but another reason to strike, the Foreign Ministry stated.

In December 2025, Russia holds celebrations to mark the so-called "reopening" of the theater at the very site where civilians were killed in Mariupol, accompanied by dances, concerts, and celebrations.

"This is deliberate terror and a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility. Russia must be brought to justice for taking the lives of innocent people and for committing genocide against the Ukrainian people," the Foreign Ministry added.

• On March 16, 2022, Russian troops deliberately a drama theater in the center of Mariupol was destroyed, where about 1,000 civilians were hiding from the raids. At the same time, in the courtyards of the drama theater there were two large inscriptions CHILDREN they were visible even from the satellite.
• On March 25, the Mariupol City Council, citing eyewitness accounts, reported that in the bombing of the drama theater about 300 people died.