Putin's macabre tour of occupied Ukraine: Russian leader visits besieged regions of Crimea and Mariupol
Business InsiderAPR 2023
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
The timing of the Russian president's first visit to occupied Ukrainian territory — which comes just a day after he was accused by the International Criminal Court of presiding over the abduction of Ukrainian children — shows a lack of remorse. His forces not only bombed a maternity hospital and a regional theater sheltering civilians, deliberately reducing the symbol of Ukrainian resistance to ruins, his invasion has killed thousands and displaced millions in Ukraine.
Pro-Russia narrative
Putin's visit to Mariupol shows how far it has been developed since it was destroyed by retreating Ukrainian forces. Houses, bridges, hospitals, transport routes, and concert halls have all been rebuilt by Moscow's forces and, thanks to Russian efforts, residents have been actively returning to a functional city. Criticizing Putin's visit as an orchestrated stunt is a biased narrative being pushed to serve the West's interests.