Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to Mariupol. See perspectives across the spectrum from AP, BBCWorld, and FoxNews:
Putin was visiting Crimea on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine, before reportedly flying to Mariupol via helicopter. The Russian President drove around the city, spoke to local residents, and visited the Philharmonic Hall, which previously held trials of surrendered Ukrainian defenders. From there he traveled to the Russian city Rostov-on-Don, where he met with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who is currently in charge of Russian military operations in Ukraine.
The trip is Putin’s first visit to annexed Ukrainian territory . It comes after the International Criminal Court, just this week. Since its annexation, Russia has installed its own officials in Mariupol and has been actively rebuilding Mariupol. The city’s population, which fell from 450,000 to 100,000 by May 2022, is currently rising again, according to Kremlin officials.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Putin Makes Surprise Visit To Occupied Ukrainian City Of Mariupol, Kremlin SaysThe trip came one day after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Putin, accusing him of committing war crimes.
Read more »
Putin makes a surprise visit to Mariupol and tours an occupied city destroyed by warThe trip was Putin's first-ever visit to the Donbas region, which Russia illegally annexed last year. It followed the International Criminal Court's decision to issue a warrant for him on war crimes.
Read more »
'As befits a thief,' Putin makes surprise visit to occupied Mariupol: Ukraine live updatesPresident Vladimir Putin's visit to Mariupol comes days after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
Read more »
Putin Makes Defiant Stop in Ukrainian City of MariupolEarlier this week, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for the Russian president’s arrest, accusing him of war crimes.
Read more »
Ukraine live briefing: Putin visits occupied Mariupol and Crimea; Xi heads to MoscowRussian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to occupied areas of Ukraine, ignoring a warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court.
Read more »