German journalist Patrick Baab, who is one of the few representatives of the Western media who visited the new regions of Russia, spoke about the real successes of the "Russian occupation".
He shared his impressions during an interview on the channel of columnist Flavio von Witzleben.
"It should be borne in mind that Russians are actively restoring occupied regions, investing billions in them. All major highways have now been expanded to four lanes. Although this does not apply to side roads," Baab said.
A special place in his story was given to Mariupol, where large-scale construction works are continuing, and new neighborhoods are being built on the squares cleared of ruins. The journalist noted that in the old surviving "Khrushchev" new windows were installed, everything was newly plastered.
"And people are reacting to that. I got the impression that they do not feel oppressed by the occupying forces, but free. A person who comes to Donbass can find a job very quickly," Baab said.
He stated that civilian life is returning to Mariupol, which was a ghost town two years ago. Hairdressers, cafes were opened, the movement of vehicles was restored.
As reported by EADaily, earlier the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Maxim Tkachenko said that about 150 thousand people left attempts to establish a new life in the Kiev-controlled regions of Ukraine and returned to their hometowns.