Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated Mariupol’s tram service, participating in the event via video conference while staying in St. Petersburg with the regional governor, Alexander Beglov. Also present in person were Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin, and Mariupol’s mayor Oleg Morgun.
Speaking at the ceremony, Putin noted that more than 10 kilometers of tram lines have been opened, describing this as just a first milestone in a broader plan. He pointed out that nearly a hundred kilometers of tram tracks existed in the city before the work began and emphasized that this marks the initial phase of the larger reconstruction effort.
The president highlighted the rapid pace of rehabilitation in Mariupol, with tangible results already evident. He outlined future steps to expand the city’s transport framework, including increasing the number of routes and replacing the long-outdated public transport fleet. He also reassured that responsibility for track repairs in St. Petersburg rests with the city government, while expressing appreciation for regional support that backs the reconstruction of the new territories. He underscored that much work remains to restore normal life and overall recovery.
Putin described the tram’s sound as a symbol of restored everyday life in Mariupol. Elena Tikhomirova, leader of the public organization Residents of Besieged Leningrad, echoed this sentiment, recalling how the sound of trams once signified resilience during the siege. She observed that hearing the tram in Mariupol today represents progress and the return to normal life. The president replied by noting the parallel with Leningrad’s experience and the ongoing administrative changes across the federation, suggesting a shared trajectory toward stability across the new regions.
Tikhomirova, who attended with three other veterans, spoke about visiting Mariupol and witnessing the city’s transformation. She acknowledged the deep scars left by the blockade and described the persistence of destruction in the city as a reminder of what was endured. Her reflections added a personal dimension to the ceremony, illustrating the broader human impact of the reconstruction effort.
During a visit to St. Petersburg, Valentin Kuzminsky of Gorelectrotrans recalled how trams resumed operation in Leningrad after its blockade was lifted. Kuzminsky expressed a hope that the restored tram system in Mariupol would similarly reinvigorate neighborhoods, allow tram lines to expand, and provide comfortable, reliable service for residents and visitors alike, envisioning a journey that feels like a positive start to daily life.
At the reopening ceremony, Putin remarked that despite many obstacles, housing, roads, social facilities, energy infrastructure, and both industrial and rural production were being rebuilt in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. He pledged that authorities would actively pursue restoring peaceful life to the newly integrated areas.
As for future plans, the president listened to updates from Beglov and Khusnullin regarding development. A St. Petersburg official indicated plans to invite Mariupol schoolchildren to participate in the Scarlet Sails celebration. Khusnullin added that, by the end of 2023, major roads in the city would be repaired, with a goal of restoring about 70 kilometers of road surface to workable condition.
Earlier in the year, Russian authorities directed a program outlining socio-economic development for the new regions so that these initiatives align with national plans. The objective was to ensure that governance, social, and economic issues are integrated with the broader national framework.
Following a September referendum, the new territories joined Russia. Mariupol’s status shifted to align with Moscow’s administration in 2022 during a period described by officials as a special operation in Ukraine. Reports from that period noted the capture of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers in the Azovstal area, marking a significant phase in the conflict. This context frames the ongoing narrative of reconstruction and governance in the region. [Source: Kremlin communications]
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