Putin Heckled During Surprise Visit to Occupied Ukrainian City of Mariupol

Russian President Vladimir Putin was heckled during his surprise visit to the occupied southeastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Sunday, just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him. The video shared by Russian state media showed Putin meeting local residents, with a person heard yelling in the background: “This is not true, it’s all for show.”

The incident occurred as Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday on a three-day visit that offers a strong political boost for Putin. Beijing has called for a cease-fire, but Washington strongly rejected the idea as the effective ratification of the Kremlin’s battlefield gains.

During the visit to Mariupol, Putin was seen listening to local residents, one of whom referred to the nearby apartment block as “a little piece of heaven.” The visit was intended to demonstrate Putin’s support for the region, which has been under Russian control since 2014.

The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Putin is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The court has accused Putin of war crimes, including the illegal annexation of Crimea and the alleged torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

The arrest warrant has been met with criticism from both Russia and China, who have accused the court of bias and politicization. The incident in Mariupol is a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the uncertain future of the region.