Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk announce the resumption of activity in the port of Mariupol

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Oct. 8 () –

The port of the city of Mariupol has started operating this Friday after months of pause due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the government of the self-proclaimed republic of Donetsk has reported.

Specifically, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed republic of Donetsk — in eastern Ukraine — Vitaly Khotsenko has announced that the port of the city of Mariupol has started operations, Russian news agency TASS has reported.

“The Donetsk government considers the port of Mariupol as an important factor for economic growth, and (the Executive) is ready to use its potential to the full,” Jotsenko told Rossiya-24 TV.

The sea city’s port is expected to be used for exports of coal mined in the region, as well as to deliver “necessary goods” for rebuilding infrastructure in the Donbas region.

Mariupol is the largest city on the coast of the Sea of Azov, a major seaport and a key metallurgical center in the Donbas. Last April 21 Russia announced that it had taken the city after several weeks of clashes with Ukrainian troops.