Ukrainian authorities have vowed to liberate all Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made an unannounced visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian port that was captured by Russia after extensive bombardment. The visit is believed to be Putin’s first trip to a newly-occupied Ukrainian territory. During the visit, Putin drove through the streets of Mariupol at night, speaking to people and meeting with top military commanders in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city situated east of Mariupol. The Kyiv authorities have also accused Russia of conducting an expensive campaign to rebuild Mariupol and assimilate it into Russia, with the ultimate goal of winning over the hearts and minds of its people. The fighting that led to the capture of Mariupol saw Russia strike a theater where hundreds of civilians were taking shelter, resulting in the deaths of at least 300 people.
Putin Pays a Visit to Mariupol, Captured Ukrainian Port
Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unannounced visit to Mariupol, a Ukrainian port that was captured by Russia after extensive bombardment, according to state media reports. Putin drove through the streets of the city at night, speaking to people and meeting with top military commanders in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city situated east of Mariupol.
It is believed that this was his first visit to the newly-occupied Ukrainian territory, which has been under Russian occupation for over 10 months. The visit, described as “spontaneous” by the Kremlin, is said to have taken place on Saturday, and Putin is reported to have traveled to Mariupol by helicopter.
In an official video, Putin is seen in the car with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who explains how the city is being rebuilt. The video also appears to show Putin visiting the Philharmonic Hall, which was used to stage trials of defenders of the Azovstal iron and steel plant, a huge industrial complex where Ukrainian troops held out before eventually surrendering.
Mariupol suffered extensive damage during one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the conflict, with more than 20,000 people reportedly killed. The United Nations estimates that around 90% of the buildings were damaged, and approximately 350,000 people were forced to leave, out of a pre-war population of approximately 500,000.
Local residents have told the BBC that Russia is conducting an expensive campaign to rebuild the city and win over the hearts and minds of its people, with the ultimate goal of assimilating Mariupol and making it a part of Russia. According to Russian authorities, 300,000 people are now living there.
However, the fighting that led to the capture of Mariupol saw Russia strike a theater where hundreds of civilians were taking shelter, resulting in the deaths of at least 300 people. Ukraine and human rights groups have called the attack a war crime, and the United Nations has suggested that Putin and his regime could be held legally responsible.
In fact, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest on Friday, citing his involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. As a result, Putin could be arrested if he enters any of the court’s 123 member states.
On Saturday, Putin also made an unannounced visit to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of the territory from Ukraine. During the visit, Putin reportedly visited a new Russian arts school, a children’s summer camp, and future cultural projects, including the New Russia museum and museum of Christianity.
Ukraine Vows to Liberate Russian-Occupied Territories
The Kyiv authorities have pledged to free all Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, according to the BBC.
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