A recent investigation by Monitor magazine, showcased on the public ARD television channel, has unveiled the involvement of two German construction companies in the reconstruction of Mariupol, a Ukrainian city under Russian occupation for the past two years.
Despite the devastation wrought upon Mariupol during the initial months of the conflict, the industrial giants Knauf Group and WKB Systems have reportedly been contributing materials for the city’s rebuilding efforts.
According to Monitor’s analysis, evidence of Knauf’s involvement in Mariupol’s reconstruction is abundant, with the company’s logo prominently displayed across various construction sites.
Similarly, WKB Systems, a company primarily owned by Russian businessman Viktor Budarin, has also been identified as a supplier of construction materials in the city.
In response to inquiries, Knauf Group clarified its adherence to EU, UK, and US sanctions against Russia, affirming its commitment to compliance despite operating 14 production sites in Russia and employing thousands of individuals in the country.
The decision to maintain operations in Russia, unlike some other major German corporations that withdrew following the invasion, was justified by Knauf as a demonstration of responsibility towards its employees.
However, scrutiny surrounding the involvement of German companies in the reconstruction of Mariupol persists. Germany’s foreign ministry, cautioning against Russia’s purported reconstruction efforts as propaganda, emphasised the importance of discerning the motivations behind participating in such ventures.
The country’s economy ministry echoed similar sentiments, underlining the necessity of evaluating whether the engagement of German firms constitutes a violation of existing sanctions.
Mariupol, once a bustling city of over 400,000 inhabitants, succumbed to Russian forces following a relentless two-month siege, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict and international sanctions, efforts to rebuild the war-torn city persist, with contributions from various actors, including German corporations.
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Main Image: By armyinform.com.ua – https://armyinform.com.ua/2022/03/26/francziya-vymagatyme-vid-rf-znyaty-oblogu-mariupolya/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116431122
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