Putin makes first-ever visit to Lugansk
Russia's President pays a visit to the Vostok National Guard personnel in the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR).
Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to the Vostok National Guard personnel in the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), on Tuesday according to a Kremlin statement.
"Vladimir Putin visited the Vostok National Guard staff in the Lugansk People's Republic, where he received reports from Col. Gen. Alexander Lapin and other senior officers on the situation in that area," the statement read.
Putin's trips to the Dnepr grouping of troops in the Kherson Region and the Vostok National Guard personnel in the Lugansk People's Republic were not planned ahead of time, according to the Kremlin press service.
Earlier in the day, the Russian President also paid a visit to the employees of the Dnepr military grouping in the Kherson Region.
According to the Kremlin press service, "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 leaders."
The President's press service described that Putin wished officers a happy Easter and "presented them with a copy of an icon that had belonged, Putin said, to 'one of the most successful defense ministers of the Russian Empire'."
Putin conducted a surprise visit to Mariupol in March, surveying the city's infrastructure and speaking with local people. During the visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin accompanied the President and reported on the status of building and restoration work in the city and its environs, including discussions on new residential micro-districts, social, educational, and health facilities.
Read more: Russia test fires 'advanced' ICBM
Ukraine direction main priority for use of Russian Armed Forces: Putin
The Russian President pointed out on Monday that the first stage of a surprise inspection of Russia's Pacific Fleet was held at a very high level.
Putin held a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to discuss the surprise inspection of Russia's Pacific Fleet that started last Friday.
"The first stage was indeed held suddenly, at a very high level. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who organized this work," the Russian President said at the meeting.
Putin also asked Shoigu to pay attention to the development and preparation of surprise inspections both in the Pacific Fleet and in other fleets.