Moscow launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 with the aim of saving the people of Donbass - primarily the Russian-speaking population - from Kiev's constant attacks.

President Putin Pays First-Ever Visit to Lugansk, Meets Russian Troops in Kherson

13:51, 18 April 2023

Go to the mediabank

In September 2022, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as Russian-controlled parts of the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye voted in a referendum to become part of Russia.

Sputnik

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Russian troops in the Kherson region, Kremlin announced on Tuesday morning.

“Vladimir Putin at the staff of the DNEPR grouping of troops in the Kherson Region listened to reports from the commander of the Airborne Troops, Col. Gen. Mikhail Teplinsky, the commander of the Dnepr grouping of troops, Col. Gen. Oleg Makarevich and other military leadership,” according to the statement.

The Russian leader wished officers a Happy Easter and presented them with a copy of an icon that had belonged, as Russian president said, to “one of the most successful defence ministers of the Russian Empire.”

Russian launched a special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 in response to calls by the Donbass people, mostly Russian-speaking, for protection from Ukrainian troops.