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Population of Mariupol halved since beginning of fighting - Head of DPR

Around 475,000 people lived in the city, Denis Pushilin said

MARIUPOL, June 12. /TASS/. The population of Mariupol has at least halved since the beginning of active fighting in the city, Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin told reporters on Sunday.

"Around 475,000 people lived in Mariupol. At the moment, it is difficult to determine the exact figure, the calculations are in the works. Preliminary we can talk about the remaining population of around 200,000 people," he said.

Pushilin also said that the residents of Mariupol oppose the restoration of the Azovstal plant, which they consider being the main cause of pollution in the region. "We will make a decision whether to restore Azovstal or not based on the decision of the citizens of Mariupol," Pushilin added.