Vladimir Putin makes surprise visit to Crimea for ninth anniversary of annexation

This is the Kremlin master’s first trip to Crimea since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to this Ukrainian peninsula on Saturday March 18, for the 9th anniversary of its annexation. Arrived in Sevastopol, home port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, Vladmir Putin notably attended the inauguration ceremony of a school of arts for children in the company of the local governor, Mikhail Razvojayev, according to the images broadcast by the public television channel Rossia-1.

This city being located only about 240 km from Kherson, a southern Ukrainian city taken over by the army of Kiev in November after the withdrawal of Russian forces, this displacement of Vladimir Putin is also the first carried out in a place so close. from the front line.

Accused of war crime by the International Criminal Court

“Vladimir Vladimirovich came in person. Himself. At the wheel. Because on a historic day like today, he is always with Sevastopol and its people”Mikhail Razvojayev said on Telegram. “Our country has an incredible leader!”enthused the local governor.

This trip comes the day after the issuance of an international arrest warrant against the Russian president. The International Criminal Court (ICC) charges him with the war crime of “illegal deportation” of Ukrainian children. The Kremlin ruled “null and void” this mandate.