In Photos: Russia Celebrates Anniversary of Unrecognized Annexations
Russian authorities on Friday held celebrations marking one year since Moscow claimed to have annexed four regions of Ukraine.
On Sept. 30, 2022, amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia moved to annex Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions following widely disputed referendums. To this day, Russian forces do not fully control any of the regions Moscow claims are its own.
President Vladimir Putin signed a decree this week creating a new holiday, Reunification Day, to be celebrated every year on Sept. 30.
Here is a look at the anniversary events in Russia as well as annexed Crimea and the occupied regions of Ukraine:
On Sept. 30, 2022, amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia moved to annex Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions following widely disputed referendums. To this day, Russian forces do not fully control any of the regions Moscow claims are its own.
President Vladimir Putin signed a decree this week creating a new holiday, Reunification Day, to be celebrated every year on Sept. 30.
Here is a look at the anniversary events in Russia as well as annexed Crimea and the occupied regions of Ukraine:
In the occupied city of Mariupol, which was nearly completely destroyed in a Russian siege last spring, graffiti with the flags of Russia and the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) is seen with the words "We are together."
Dmitry Yagodkin / TASS
In the Artek children's camp in annexed Crimea — a former Young Pioneer camp during the Soviet period — more than 2,000 children lined up to spell out the words "Reunification Day."
Artek International Children's Camp Press Service / TASS
A mural in occupied Donetsk as part of preparations for Reunification Day.
Dmitry Yagodkin / TASS
A street sign in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol reads "One country, one family, one Russia."
Alexander Polegenko / TASS
In Moscow, a concert was held on Red Square to mark the holiday.
Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
The concert was titled "One Country, One Family, One Russia!"
Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
President Vladimir Putin declined to attend the event.
Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
People attending Friday's concert in Red Square.
Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
Pop singer Shaman, whose songs feature pro-invasion themes and lyrics, performs at the concert on Red Square.
Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
The stage at the concert on Red Square reads "Russia / Donbas - Novorossiya," referring to the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine and Novorossiya, the imperial-era name for southern Ukraine.
Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
