President Putin makes surprise visit to Kherson and Luhansk

Sputnik news agency quoted the Kremlin's announcement as saying: "President Putin visited the National Guard in the Luhansk People's Republic, where he received a report from Colonel General Alexander Lapin and many other senior officers on the situation in that area." This is President Putin's first visit to Luhansk.

The Russian leader also visited the Dnieper military group in the Kherson region. "President Putin was in Kherson, listening to reports from the military commanders there," the Kremlin said.

According to Reuters and AP news agencies, the Russian President arrived in Kherson first, then went to the headquarters of the National Guard in Luhansk by helicopter.

In March, President Putin also made a surprise visit to Mariupol, inspecting the city's infrastructure and chatting with local residents.