13:11
9.5.2014
RFE/RL's news desk now has a bit more info on Putin's arrival in Crimea:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived to Crimea to mark the 69th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
It is Putin's first visit to the peninsula after it was annexed from Ukraine by Moscow following a controversial referendum in March.
Russian media reports say that Putin will attend a military parade in the city of Sevastopol on May 9 and lay flowers to the memorial of the Defenders of Sevastopol.
Sevastopol is also marking the 70th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi Germany.
Earlier on May 9, Putin presided over a massive military parade in Red Square in Moscow to mark Victory Day.
Speaking in Tallinn today, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he believes Putin's visit to Crimea is "inappropriate."
It is Putin's first visit to the peninsula after it was annexed from Ukraine by Moscow following a controversial referendum in March.
Russian media reports say that Putin will attend a military parade in the city of Sevastopol on May 9 and lay flowers to the memorial of the Defenders of Sevastopol.
Sevastopol is also marking the 70th anniversary of its liberation from Nazi Germany.
Earlier on May 9, Putin presided over a massive military parade in Red Square in Moscow to mark Victory Day.
Speaking in Tallinn today, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he believes Putin's visit to Crimea is "inappropriate."
13:37
9.5.2014
Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes has sent a Victory Day greeting to city veterans in a telephone call from the Israeli hospital where he continues to receive treatment following an assassination attempt late last month.
The press service of the city mayor's office reports that Kernes vowed during the May 8 phone call that he would return to Kharkiv "soon."
"I'm aware of events, I'm drawing conclusions," he was reported as saying. "I think everything happens for a reason. I want you all to know that I'm alive and I will return soon to Kharkiv."
Kernes was critically wounded by unknown assailants who shot him in the back as he was exercising outdoors on April 28. He sustained severe damage to his spine, stomach, and liver as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.
A day later, he was flown to the Israeli city of Haifa, where he has received several more operations.
A television report by Ukraine's TSN broadcaster from the Haifa hospital shows the extent of Kernes' injuries, with TV footage showing the mayor's deep stomach wounds. Kernes himself appeared extremely weak, barely able to speak above a whisper.
The press service of the city mayor's office reports that Kernes vowed during the May 8 phone call that he would return to Kharkiv "soon."
"I'm aware of events, I'm drawing conclusions," he was reported as saying. "I think everything happens for a reason. I want you all to know that I'm alive and I will return soon to Kharkiv."
Kernes was critically wounded by unknown assailants who shot him in the back as he was exercising outdoors on April 28. He sustained severe damage to his spine, stomach, and liver as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.
A day later, he was flown to the Israeli city of Haifa, where he has received several more operations.
A television report by Ukraine's TSN broadcaster from the Haifa hospital shows the extent of Kernes' injuries, with TV footage showing the mayor's deep stomach wounds. Kernes himself appeared extremely weak, barely able to speak above a whisper.
13:55
9.5.2014
Only Ukrainian flags at this year's victory parade in Sevastopol on the number plates of the nostalgia mobiles.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 9, 2014
13:56
9.5.2014
And obviously no Ukrainian forces, who traditionally marched alongside Russians here. In their place: Night Wolves and the "Self Defence."
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 9, 2014
14:12
9.5.2014
#Crimea=Sudetendland RT @olacicho: I came. I saw. I conquered pic.twitter.com/ciUrg3kFvX
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 9, 2014
14:13
9.5.2014
Disturbing burst of violence in Luhansk,husband & wife killed,10 year old daughter in hospital http://t.co/zCmb0pJggB pic.twitter.com/YIBtHjJ4wY
— Ryskeldi Satke (@RyskeldiSatke) May 9, 2014
14:31
9.5.2014
Putin has come ashore in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based, after reviewing forces in the "hero's city." He gave a brief address by thanking those who helped return the peninsula to Russia and congratulating Crimea and its people, saying there is still "much to do."
14:31
9.5.2014
Putin praised the return of Crimea and Sevastopol "to the fold of the motherland."
14:32
9.5.2014
Putin said Russia is stronger today than ever.
14:46
9.5.2014
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has condemned Putin's visit to Crimea, saying it constitutes a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and represented a "deliberate escalation" of the crisis.