President Vladimir Putin visits Crimea for the first time since Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula, just days ahead of a separatist vote by pro-Moscow militants in eastern Ukraine.
On a triumphant visit to Crimea on Friday, President Vladimir Putin hailed Russia’s annexation of the Black Sea peninsula as he celebrated Victory Day, which marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union at the end of World War II.
Putin sailed into the port of Sevastopol for the commemorations, his first trip to Crimea since the region seceded from Ukraine and became part of Russia in March.
The Russian leader watched a parade of Russian navy ships and a flyby of Russian aircraft marking Victory Day, and made addressed troops.
Earlier in the day, Putin was in Moscow for a massive display of military hardware at the annual Red Square parade.
Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine in his speech in Moscow, which focused on the historic importance of the victory over the Nazis.
Ukraine has condemned Putin’s visit to Crimea as trampling on international law.
The Victory Day celebrations come at a time when the world’s attention is focused on Ukraine’s political crisis.
Pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine have been fighting with the government and are preparing to hold a referendum on secession on Sunday.
