The Kremlin: Putin visited the Ukrainian port of Mariupol

Moscow / Kyiv

For the first time since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir put it in He visited the occupied lands of the neighboring country. As announced by the Kremlin, Putin made a “working visit” to the coastal city of Mariupol on the Sea of ​​Azov, which had been devastated in heavy fighting.

After arriving by helicopter, he briefed himself on the situation during a tour and also spoke with residents of the city, state agency Tass reported. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Chusnulin informed Putin about the state of the reconstruction work.

On Saturday afternoon, Putin visited the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. State television broadcast pictures of the Kremlin chief opening an art school for children in Sevastopol.

Russia launched a war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24 last year. Mariupol was besieged by Russian forces and did not come under full Russian military control until 20 May. The city was largely destroyed during the fighting.

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