Putin makes rare visit to Ukraine frontline regions April 17, 2023 at 11:19PM

President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to two frontline regions in Ukraine – Kherson and Lugansk – has been met with strong rebuke from Kyiv. Although the timing of the visit is not known, it is believed to have taken place recently. Since his visit, Russian forces have been accused of firing on the central market area of Kherson, injuring six people. The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since February 2022 and much of the fighting is now focused around the town of Bakhmut. The recent surge follows months of relative calm.