KYIV: Kyiv has expressed anger after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to two frontline regions in Ukraine, which it deemed as “a tour of the scenes of Russian crimes.”
Putin’s visit to Kherson and Lugansk came as China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu was in Moscow to demonstrate Beijing’s “determination” to stronger ties with Russia.
The Kremlin said the visit was aimed at marking its control in occupied Ukraine. However, Russia does not fully hold those areas despite claiming them after a widely-condemned annexation.
The conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022 when Putin’s invasion triggered the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukrainian forces are now preparing for a spring counter-offensive.
Putin’s trip was kept secret until after it happened, and Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of shelling the center of Kherson city, killing one person and injuring nine. The Ukrainian city of Sloviansk was also hit by a Russian strike on a block of flats, killing 15, including a two-year-old boy, and injuring 24.
While Russia was beaten back in northern and southern regions last year, Moscow’s forces have made incremental gains in eastern Ukraine. The fighting is now mainly concentrated around the eastern Bakhmut town, which has become the longest and bloodiest battle of the conflict.
Putin meets Russian military leaders
During his visit, Putin met with Russian military leaders to discuss the situation in pro-Western regions. However, according to video footage released by the Kremlin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia’s top commander in Ukraine, Valery Gerasimov, were not present, and instead participated remotely. Putin’s spokesperson, Peskov, stated that it was not wise for all top military commanders to gather in one place.
According to British military intelligence, heavy fighting is ongoing along the Donbas front line in eastern Ukraine. Russian regular troops and Wagner mercenaries are reportedly making incremental advances in Bakhmut. Ukraine aims to free up their offensive forces, while Russia aims to rebuild their operational reserve.
The head of Ukraine’s president’s office, Andriy Yermak, said he spoke with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Kyiv seeks support from the US, its European allies, and NATO to deter Russia’s aggression. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has caused immense destruction and suffering, and Moscow seeks allies to confront the West, but has not neared Putin’s goal of capturing control of the country.
