Putin Approves Master Plan To Redevelop Ukraine's War-Torn Mariupol City

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a master plan for developing Ukraine's Mariupol city – a month after he ordered the construction of social facilities in the town.

What Happened: On Friday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin presented Putin with a 100-page master plan for the restoration and development of Mariupol, according to state-owned news agency TASS.

Khusnullin told the media that it would take three years to restore the city under this plan, which envisages the construction and repair of apartment blocks and social infrastructure facilities.

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"I can say that this year we will restore 90% of social infrastructure facilities - kindergartens, schools, hospitals." He said.

The publication pointed out that Khusnullin drew special attention to the issue of the Azovstal metallurgical works – one of Ukraine's largest steel rolling companies.

According to him, the plan is to preserve some jobs but not revive hazardous production lines.

"But there are some 40 million tonnes of waste there. It is an ecological problem. The territory is to be cleared," he said, adding that Ukraine's authorities did nothing to resolve this problem.

This came after Russian authorities, in late June, started the construction of social facilities in Mariupol.

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