Russia’s Putin makes surprise trip to occupied Mariupol

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin during their visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region (Russian Presidential Press Office via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the occupied port city of Mariupol, his first trip to Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September and a show of defiance after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges.

Mr Putin arrived in Mariupol late on Saturday after visiting Crimea, south-west of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula’s annexation from Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.