The Russian president inaugurated two new power stations on Monday, as Russia celebrated the fifth anniversary of its annexation of Crimea.
Moscow has funneled significant resources into the peninsula’s infrastructure since the annexation referendum in 2014, in an effort to end Crimea’s dependence on Ukraine.
As well as the power stations, a giant bridge was built from southern Russia to Crimea, across the Kerch Strait.
Russia has officially proclaimed March 18 as the “Day of Crimea’s Reunification with Russia,” with events celebrated across the country. The day is the anniversary of the signing of an agreement between Putin and local Crimean representatives, two days after the referendum that was condemned as illegitimate by Ukraine and the West.
Via DW
