Headline RoundupMarch 19th, 2023

Putin Visits Occupied City Of Mariupol

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to Mariupol.

The Details: 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.

For Context: The trip is Putin’s first visit to annexed Ukrainian territory (excluding Crimea). It comes after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest, 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.

Key Quotes: Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said the trip had been unannounced, and that Putin intended to “inspect the work of the (command) post in its ordinary mode of operation.”

How The Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered Putin's visit similarly.

 

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