Vladimir Putin Makes Surprise Visit to Russian-Occupied Mariupol, Ukraine Despite International Arrest Warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to the Russian-occupied port city of Mariupol, Ukraine. This is his first visit to the territory since it was illegally annexed by Russia in September of last year.

The visit comes just two days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin. During his visit, Putin was seen chatting with local residents, visiting an art school, and a children’s center in Crimea.

Mariupol became a symbol of defiance after Ukrainian forces held out in a steel mill there for nearly three months before Moscow finally took control of it in May.

The Kremlin statement did not specify when the visit took place, although on Saturday he visited Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of its annexation. Putin was flown into Mariupol by helicopter and toured districts around the city in a car, footage released by Russian authorities showed.

The visit is seen as an act of defiance by Putin and a show of support for the Russian-occupied territory. It is unclear what the implications of the visit will be, but it is certain to be met with criticism from the international community.