Russians Seek to Place Mariupol Port Under Rostov’s Control

This amounts to the de facto confiscation of strategic infrastructure and the diversion of all revenue streams to Rostov.

The Russians intend to establish Russian control over the port of occupied Mariupol by “aligning” it with Rostov logistics hubs.

The Center for National Resistance announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.

Denis Pushilin, the leader of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR), stated that the “DPR” will become part of the “Donbass Commonwealth” alongside the Rostov and Voronezh regions in 2026. The main emphasis is on the Mariupol port, which they plan to “align” with Rostov logistics hubs.

According to analysts at the Center for National Resistance, these formulations mask the establishment of full Russian control over the port.

“This is not about 'cooperation,' but rather the de facto confiscation of strategic infrastructure and the diversion of all revenue streams to Rostov,” the organization said.

Closed-door meetings held in August confirmed a plan for the port’s complete integration into Russian logistics networks. Local personnel will only perform technical functions, while control over finances and decision-making will be transferred to the Kremlin.

Currently, the port is used to export metal, grain, and resources from Donbas.