Putin visits Ukraine's port city of Mariupol

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Presidential Press Office on Sunday, March 19, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin at a newly built neighborhood during their visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region, Ukraine. Putin has traveled to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula's annexation from Ukraine. (Russian Presidential Press Office via AP) Credit: AP

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Ukraine's port city of Mariupol. It comes just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him and it's seen by some as a strategic move that sends a message of defiance to the West.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to Mariupol - his first trip to the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine's Donbas region since the start of the war.

President Putin first travelled to Crimea (18 March) in an unannounced visit to mark the 9th anniversary of Russia's annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine.