Putin announced the return of about 300,000 people to Mariupol

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 19 during the "Results of the Year" that Mariupol was experiencing a "construction boom" - about 1.7 thousand houses had already been rebuilt and at least 300 thousand people had returned to the city.

He noted that a lot of attention is paid to Mariupol, before the outbreak of hostilities in the city lived officially at least 430 thousand people. In total, there are more than 3 thousand apartment buildings in Mariupol, Putin said.

"Approximately 1.7 thousand houses have been restored. But not all have been put in place yet, the documents for 500-odd houses are still being formalized," he said.

The head of state said that those houses that are not subject to restoration, local authorities have demolished, and the plots have been transferred to developers.

"Commercial housing can be obtained by mortgage at 2%, it is preserved in the new territories. By the way, there is such a construction boom going on there," the head of state said.

Putin emphasized that at least 300,000 people have returned to the city. The number of population continues to grow at a rapid pace, the president said.

He called on the Mariupol authorities to stop "holding on" to the existing 5,000 ownerless apartments and distribute them among people. According to him, people who have lost housing should have the right to get it in the same place where they lived, or next to it, if it is impossible at the former place.

Earlier in the day, the head of state said that Russia is carrying out a huge program for the restoration and development of new territories, designed until 2030: they are building a road network, housing, housing and communal facilities and social and cultural amenities. Putin added that the forces and funds will be enough for the realization of all directions.

The direct line with the President of Russia in 2024 is combined with a press conference for the media. The format called "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin" allows the president to convey his position not only on citizens' issues, but also on the state and world agenda, which is often asked by journalists.

Representatives of Western media and foreign journalists accredited in Russia have also received invitations to the events. As of the morning of December 19, the number of requests sent to the direct line with the president exceeded 2 million.

The first live broadcast was held in December 2001. By the President's own admission, this event is the most powerful sociological poll, which allows citizens to convey their position and assessment of the country's leadership.

The latest news about the "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin - 2024" - in the Izvestia story.