Russia is increasing its military presence in the captured port city of Mariupol, building a huge military base, according to satellite photos published by Maxar, the BBC writes

The new U-shaped base is located close to the city center. On the roof you can see the red star of the Russian army and the sign: “From the Russian army for the people of Mariupol.”

See photos and read the article on the BBC website

Earlier this year, Moscow forces besieged the city for nearly three months, and Ukrainian officials estimated that around 25,000 civilians had died in the shelling, while the UN confirmed 1,348 civilian deaths, but said the actual death toll was “probably several thousands of victims”. above”.

Pictures of the city cemetery show that it is large. In recent months, Russian troops have pulled bodies from destroyed buildings and taken them to burials. Last month, an analysis of footage obtained by BBC Panorama revealed that 1,500 new graves had been dug at the cemetery.

A large protective screen was also erected around the remains of the city’s theater, where hundreds of people are believed to have died after Russian forces fired rockets at it on March 18. The attack, which Amnesty International called a “clear war crime” by Russia, left the site in ruins.

Ukrainian officials estimate that up to 90 percent of the city’s infrastructure has been left in ruins by Russian bombing, and new images show that Moscow has begun demolishing many residential buildings.

The city is of strategic importance for Russia, as it is part of its “land bridge” connecting Russia with the annexed Crimea.