Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Crimea on Saturday on the ninth anniversary of the annexation of the peninsula to Ukraine, Russian state television reported.
During a surprise visit to the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol, Putin visited an art school accompanied by the local governor, Mikhail Razvazhaev, according to television footage.
“Our president Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin knows how to surprise. In a good way,” Razvazhaev said on the Telegram messaging app.
According to him, it is expected that Putin will take part in the opening of a children’s art school via video link.
“But Uladzimir Uladzimirovich came personally. Himself. Driving. Because on such a historic day, the president is always with Sevastopol and the people of Sevastopol,” said an official appointed by Moscow.