Putin pays surprise visit to Mariupol and command center in Rostov-on-Don
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An official video shows Putin driving a car through streets at night and speaking to people.
It is believed to be his first trip to a newly-occupied Ukrainian territory.
The Kremlin says it happened late on Saturday.
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The visit came after Putin traveled to Crimea on Saturday in an unannounced visit to mark the ninth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine, and just two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader.
Mariupol was Russia’s first major victory after it failed to seize Kyiv and focused instead on southeastern Ukraine.
Putin flew by helicopter to Mariupol.
Putin also visits the city’s Philharmonic Hall, which had been due to be used for trials of captured Ukrainian forces before they were released in a prisoner swap instead.
Putin is also reported to have met top military commanders in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city just east of Mariupol.
