Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise trip to occupied cities of Mariupol and Sevastopol on the day of the ninth anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with Russia. These two war-ravaged cities were largely destroyed in a year-long Russian offensive against Ukraine. He was seen driving a car in Sevastopol, while he travelled to Mariupol in a helicopter.
Russian news agency Tass said, “Our president knows how to surprise. In the end, the president came personally. By car. He was at the wheel himself. On such a historic day, the president is always with Sevastopol and the people of Sevastopol. Our country has an incredible leader.”
In the 40-minute video Putin is shown driving at night in a black SUV, maneuvering through concrete blocks on the road and even once stopping at a red light, which is highly unusual for state leader’s driving protocol.
Putin also drove to the city’s orchestra hall, where he was shown an auditorium and a room filled with musical instruments. At one point the video showed Putin rolling past ruined houses on streets with military guards.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the port city of Mariupol, Russian state news agencies reported Sunday. It was his first trip to the Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September. https://t.co/8ByYASsA6P pic.twitter.com/rI2ewGblmq
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 19, 2023
