Russian president makes surprise visit to Mariupol in Ukraine's Donetsk region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) — Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit on Sunday to the city of Mariupol in Ukraine's Donetsk region, which has been under Russian control since last May.

"The head of state inspected several objects of the city, and also talked with local residents," said a statement by the Kremlin.

Putin flew to Mariupol by helicopter, it noted, adding that he later drive a car in the city accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who reported "on the progress of construction and restoration work in the city and its surroundings."

"In particular, they discussed the construction of new residential microdistricts, social and educational facilities, housing and communal services infrastructure, and medical institutions," the statement said.

"In addition, Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the command post of the special military operation in Rostov-on-Don," the statement said, adding that Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and a number of military leaders briefied the Russian president.

Putin's visit to Mariupol is a first to the Russian-controlled regions of the Donbas since the start of the war between the two countries in February last year.

A day earlier, Putin had traveled to the city of Sevastopol in Crimea, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the peninsula's annexation by Moscow, a move widely viewed as illegal by the international community, including Türkiye and the UN General Assembly.