War Routes of Civilian Mariupolites: Sociological Exploration

Abstract

The article analyses sociological data collected on wartime ways and routes among civilian Mariupolites between 24 February and 30 June 2022. The gathered narratives from Mariupol civilians during the war in order to reproduce the chronology of events, document the wartime experience, and spread awareness of the problems faced by the people of Mariupol during their time in the besieged and later occupied city, during evacuation, and when searching for a new place of residence (interviews and electronic diaries). In total, more than 300 life narratives were analysed. The analysis made it possible to draw up a chronology of events in Mariupol during the war up until 30 June 2022, and to describe the experience of the first days of war before the complete siege of the city and during the blockade before evacuation, as well as under occupation. The peculiarities of public shelters and daily life during active hostilities and the complete blockade of the city were studied. In addition the study revealed the specific experience of the elderly and the disabled. Conflict situations that arose between Mariupol residents during hostilities and the occupation were also analysed, as were several life paths following the complete seizure and occupation of the city. Social types of experience were distinguished by availability of evacuation, its time in relation to the war, experiences during evacuation, and place of residence at the time of the survey.