Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised many with his overnight visit to the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. According to Kremlin media, he was shown “new models of military equipment.”
Footage from the trip reveals that he was accompanied by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the commander of military operations in Ukraine, Valery Gerasimov, who were introduced to what seems to be a new type of golf buggy.
The purpose of this visit and how it will impact Russia’s military operations in Ukraine was not made clear.
This marks Putin’s second visit to Rostov-on-Don within a month. He “visited the headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces in Rostov-on-Don, after completing his official visit to Kazakhstan” on Thursday, the Kremlin said in a statement.
“The supreme commander in chief was shown new models of military equipment,” the Kremlin mentioned.
“The head of state heard reports on the progress of the special military operation.”
Russia’s new golf buggy. PHOTO: Screenshot
Putin’s previous visit to Rostov-on-Don at the end of October included discussions with military officials concerning the special military operation in Ukraine, as reported by AFP.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin has typically conducted night-time trips, considering remaining outside the security of the Kremlin. Throughout March, he made a nighttime trip to Mariupol, marking his first visit to territory captured from Ukraine since the start of Moscow’s 2022 invasion.
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Ukraine’s defense ministry at the time accused Putin of visiting Mariupol under the cover of darkness, stating that “as befits a thief,” it is safer and allows him to highlight what he wants to show while keeping the city and its few surviving inhabitants away from prying eyes.
As befits a thief, Putin visited Ukrainian Mariupol, under the cover of night.
First, it is safer.
Also, darkness allows him to highlight what he wants to show, and keeps the city his army completely destroyed and its few surviving inhabitants away from prying eyes.— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU)
March 19, 2023
