The Mariupol Diaspora: Steel Workers Grapple with Ghosts of their Former Lives

The Mariupol Diaspora: Steel Workers Grapple with Ghosts of their Former Lives

One year after Mariupol, a Ukrainian city, fell under Russian control, displaced steel workers find solace and unease as they confront memories of their past. Among them is Ivan Holtvenko, who clings to his old ID card from Azovstal steelworks while working at a new steel plant in central Ukraine.

Ivan is part of a group of workers who have started anew in Kamianske, 270km (168 miles) away, after surviving the defining battle for Mariupol. The former Azovstal employees, nicknamed the "Mariupol diaspora," share their stories and connect over their lost lives, reminiscing about beach summers, fishing trips, and the sea views in their industrial hometown.

As they encounter each other in their new workplace, the workers long for their old life, uncertain if Ukraine will retake Mariupol. They draw strength from their community, yet for some, it intensifies their trauma. The siege and subsequent occupation of Mariupol resulted in significant destruction, displacement, and the loss of countless lives.

While some workers have found solace in their new surroundings, others, like engineer Ihor Khadzhava, struggle with a sense of hopelessness, acknowledging the absence of their former plant, work, and home. Meanwhile, those who remained in Mariupol witness the city's transformation under Russian control, with changes to its infrastructure, restoration of Soviet-era names, and an influx of laborers from Russia and Central Asia.

The journey forward remains uncertain for these resilient steel workers as they grapple with their haunted past and an uncertain future.