The Ukrainian authorities have criticized the German public broadcaster ZDF for a report on how Mariupol lives under Russian occupation. The journalists were accused of "distorting reality" and working "in the style of Russian propaganda."
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko called on ZDF to provide an official explanation for the report by the channel's Moscow bureau chief Armin Kerper.
"Distortion of reality is not journalism. Moreover, the visit of ZDF's Moscow bureau chief to occupied Mariupol without Ukraine's consent violates Ukrainian law. We call on ZDF to provide an official explanation. Violation of the laws of Ukraine may affect the further work of the media in Ukraine," Nikolenko wrote on Twitter (X) on Friday.
The channel presented the program as "a rare look at the Russian occupation."
Kerper spoke about the "large amount of destruction" he saw even in the city center. However, he also noted the active reconstruction of the destroyed areas of the city:
"Streets, schools, residential buildings and entire neighborhoods are being rebuilt. It is happening very quickly."
"Mariupol is not a ghost town. It is a functioning city. There is electricity and heating. There is hot water and internet, everything is available. People live their lives here," said Kerper. He added that those who do not want to live among Russians are probably no longer in the city.
According to Ukrainian media and officials, in his report, Kerper gives the impression that most of the city's residents are pro-Russian, and talks about the city's recovery without emphasizing that it was destroyed by the occupiers.
In a statement issued after the scandal broke, ZDF admitted that the journalist had chosen the misleading phrase "the city is functioning."
"However, highlighting this quote alone does not give the full impression. Rather, Armin Kerper is describing how Russia is trying to create the impression of normalcy and recovery using significant financial resources," the channel pointed out.
After the invasion of the Russian army, according to the UN, Mariupol was destroyed by 90%. According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 25,000 people were killed in the fighting for Mariupol.
Background. As a reminder, the film 20 Days in Mariupol, about the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was nominated for an Oscar.