Mariupol Theater Bombing: A Survivor’s Story and the Search for Accountability

On March 16, 2022, a Russian airstrike devastated the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol, Ukraine, which had become a shelter for hundreds of civilians. The attack stands as one of the deadliest known incidents against civilians during the war in Ukraine, with estimates of the death toll reaching as high as 600 people . Maria Kutnyakova, a Mariupol resident, shared her harrowing experience of that day, offering a firsthand account of the chaos and destruction.

A Refuge Under Siege

Before the full-scale invasion, Maria Kutnyakova was actively involved in Mariupol’s cultural scene, working as an actress at the “Teatromania” Mariupol Folk Theatre and in the “Vezha” cultural and tourist center, where she led historical tours . As fighting intensified in Mariupol, Maria, her mother, sister, and cat initially sheltered in their basement. Although, as street battles erupted and their neighborhood came under fire, they sought refuge in the city’s drama theater, believing it offered a safer haven and potential evacuation point.

Hope and a Growing Crowd

Upon arriving at the theater on the morning of March 16, Maria described a scene of organized activity, with people setting up makeshift living spaces and cooking food. A large inscription reading “Children” was painted on the square in front of the theater, a desperate attempt to warn Russian planes that civilians were sheltering inside . Maria recalled a sense of hope, believing an evacuation convoy was imminent.

The Moment of Impact

Maria briefly left the theater to check on her uncle, who lived nearby. Even as returning, she heard the sound of an airplane and then explosions. She arrived back to find the theater in ruins, engulfed in flames. “The theater was bombed, there were wounded and a lot of people from the surrounding houses were running towards it. Complete chaos and nightmare,” she recounted. “It seemed that nothing could destroy him,” she said, describing her initial shock at the scale of the destruction .

Searching for Family Amidst the Rubble

Driven by desperation, Maria rushed inside the damaged theater, navigating through dust and debris. She found her family, shaken but alive, having been thrown back by the blast wave. Together, they made their way to the basement, joining others seeking shelter as the building continued to burn. Maria expressed regret at not being able to help others trapped in the wreckage.

A Perilous Escape

After the bombing, Maria and her family endured a 12-day journey to Lviv, facing constant danger and relying on the kindness of strangers. They traveled on foot, by evacuation convoy, and through Russian checkpoints. She remembers looking back at Mariupol, seeing fires raging and Russian warships in the bay .

Life After Mariupol

Maria and her family have since settled in Lithuania, where she continues to work in communications and supports projects in Ukraine and Lithuania . She remains involved in efforts to preserve Ukrainian culture and memory.

The Fate of the Theater and Ongoing Investigations

In December 2022, Russian authorities began dismantling the ruins of the theater, raising concerns about the destruction of evidence . Russia denies responsibility for the bombing, blaming Ukraine. A new theater was constructed on the site in 2025, featuring Russian performances . The exact number of casualties remains unknown, but investigations suggest the death toll is significantly higher than initially reported.