Propaganda show in Mariupol
What the recordings in the Philharmonie did not show
03/19/2023 4:22 p.m
For the first time since the start of the Russian invasion, Vladimir Putin is visiting Russian-controlled territory in Donbass. The stay there may not be more than a show – and what could make the Russian president look bad is deliberately concealed.
The alleged trip by Vladimir Putin to the Ukrainian Mariupol in Donbass, which Russia illegally occupied, not only raises many questions about possible scenes, but also shows in other ways how the Kremlin uses images for its propaganda. In a video of the visit, the Russian president can be seen in the Philharmonic Hall, which according to the UN should actually be converted into a court in order to conduct high-profile trials of captured Ukrainians. For example, Russia sees the Azov fighters as perpetrators. But there is no more talk of these plans during Putin’s visit.
Last summer, Denis Puschilin, the head of the self-proclaimed “Donbass People’s Republic,” announced that he would hold an “international tribunal” against the Ukrainian soldiers and stage himself as such. For that even metal cages built, in which the prisoners of war should be displayed, as shown by photos from Telegram messages. However, the cages cannot be seen in the current photos from Mariupol of Putin’s visit, but there is a large white wall that covers exactly the corner where the cages are supposed to be.
There is also a lectern in the hall. But this is not addressed during Putin’s visit either. Instead, the short visit is about alleged musical interludes. The deputy head of government says music is already being played in the Philharmonie – he has heard exercises. The original court plans are not mentioned. Ultimately, the trials in the Philharmonic against defenders from the Azov valley did not take place because Russia exchanged prisoners of war with Ukraine in order to free the pro-Russian politician and Putin buddy Viktor Medvedchuk, who at the time still had Ukrainian citizenship.
Ukrainian side condemns Putin’s visit
Instead of reveling in the trials of Ukrainians in occupied Mariupol, Vladimir Putin now has his own court trouble to deal with: the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant against the Russian president because Russia is said to have abducted thousands of Ukrainian children. However, the country does not recognize the court. Nevertheless, such an international arrest warrant further restricts Putin’s freedom of movement. Once he travels to a country that has ratified the court’s basic treaty, he faces arrest. Because all contracting states are obliged to carry out the arrest warrants.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government sharply condemned the Kremlin chief’s visit to Mariupol. Advisor to the President of Ukraine Zelenskyy, Mikhailo Podoliak wrote on Twitter: “The criminal always returns to the scene of the crime. While the civilized world announces the arrest of the director of war in case he oversteps its borders, the murderer of thousands of families came from Mariupol to admire the ruins of the city and the tombs . cynicism and lack of remorse.”
It was Putin’s first trip to Russian-controlled territory in the Donbass since the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022. Mariupol on the Sea of Azov had been bombed and besieged by Russia from the start of the war. According to Kiev, 90 percent of the city was destroyed and at least 20,000 people were killed.