25.

In 2015, Putin admitted intelligence operations were taking place in Ukraine. “The Russians are trying to hide their casualties by taking mobile crematoriums with them, they are trying to hide not only from the world but from the Russian people their involvement in the Ukraine,” said the US House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry in a speech accusing the Russians of foul play.

26.

Ignoring the United Nations General Assembly resolution affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Vladimir Putin stated that the annexation of Crimea in March 2014 was a historic event that would not be reversed.  In 2016 the Russian military began a six-day exercise in Crimea for planning and preparing combat operations.  This military exercise was interpreted by defense analysts as a message to Ukraine and its Western allies showing Russia’s control over the Crimean peninsula.