Vladimir Putin went to Mariupol, provoking the wrath of Kiev, which on Sunday denounced the Russian president’s “cynicism”.
Vladimir Putin appears in Ukraine. After traveling to Crimea on Saturday to mark the 9th anniversary of Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula, the Kremlin chief appeared in Mariupol overnight. This is his first visit to a conquered territory since the start of the Russian offensive in the country in February 2022. Enough to provoke the wrath of Kiev, which on Sunday, March 19, denounced the Russian president’s “cynicism”. At the front, three civilians were killed and two others injured by Russian shelling of a village in Zaporizhya. Here’s what to remember from the day on the war front in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin appears in the streets of Mariupol
Vladimir Putin, who arrived by helicopter, toured the city at the wheel of a car, according to the Kremlin, which assures the visit was “spontaneous”. According to images from Russian television, the ride took place at night, street lights were presented to Vladimir Putin and he spoke to local residents. “We’re praying for you,” one resident assured her, saying the city is “a little piece of paradise.”
Vladimir Putin also visited a reconstructed musical theater and watched the presentation of a report on the reconstruction work of the destroyed city, again according to the Kremlin.
Mariupol, a bomb-ravaged port city in southern Ukraine, has become a symbol of resistance to the country’s invasion. The city was bombed for weeks and finally fell in May 2022 after fierce resistance from Ukrainian soldiers holed up with civilians in the underground passages of the vast Azovstal Steelworks.
Kiev denounces the “cynicism” of the Russian president
The Russian President made the visit “like a thief” that night, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reacted. “Putin visited the Ukrainian city of Mariupol and hid behind the night. First, it’s safer. In addition, the night allows him to emphasize what he wants to show and protects the city, completely destroyed by their army, and its few surviving inhabitants from prying eyes,” the ministry added on Twitter.
As befits a thief, Putin visited Mariupol in Ukraine under cover of night.
First, it’s safer.
Also, the darkness allows him to highlight what he wants to show and keeps the city, which his army completely destroys, and its few surviving inhabitants from prying eyes.— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 19, 2023
“Criminals always return to the scene of their crimes… The murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and their graves. Cynicism and unrepentance,” wrote Advisor Mykhailo to the Ukrainian President on the social network Podoliak.
Three dead and two injured in shelling in Zaporizhia region
In the Zaporizhia region of southern Ukraine, three people were killed and two others injured in Russian bombing raids on Sunday, according to a report sent by Telegram to local authorities.
The message said a residential building in the village of Kamianske had been the target of a “cynical attack” and urged residents to leave the dangerous areas.
The day before, two people were killed and eight injured in Russian attacks with “cluster munitions” in the city of Kramatorsk.
Paris calls ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin ‘extremely important’ decision
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin on charges of war crimes in Ukraine on Friday is an “extremely important” decision, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said in a March 19 Sunday Journal interview.
“This means anyone responsible for war crimes or crimes against humanity must be held accountable, regardless of status or rank,” the head of French diplomacy told the weekly. “From now on, no link in the chain can believe that they will escape justice and this should give many food for thought,” she continues. It is therefore a decision that can change the course of things.”
The Hague-based International Criminal Court’s decision concerns the “deportation” of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia since the conflict with Ukraine began a year ago, which constitutes a war crime.