Moscow: President Vladimir Putin visited Crimea on Friday for the first time since Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula, just days ahead of a separatist vote by pro-Moscow militants in eastern Ukraine as Kiev authorities frowned at the visit and said that it could lead to a deeper crisis. Russian news agencies said Mr Putin arrived in the historic port city of Sevastopol where he is expected to oversee a massive military parade commemorating victory over Nazi forces in World War II.
As Ukraine’s crisis rumbled on with reports of fresh fighting in the city of Mariupol and pro-Moscow rebels pushing ahead with independence votes, Putin earlier praised Russian patriotism and loyalty to the state at a military parade in Moscow. Meanwhile, fighting resumed on Friday, with media reports that clashes broke out in the southeastern port city of Mariupol, claiming at least 21 lives. Russia’s Interfax said Ukrainian troops used large calibre weapons as they tried to take an occupied building in the city.
