Presidential Aide and State Council Secretary Igor Levitin chaired the second meeting of the working group to prepare a State Council Presidium meeting on developing transport and logistics infrastructure, which is the foundation for the economic growth of the Russian constituent entities in the Volga-Caspian region. The event was held at Astrakhan State University via videoconference.

The Moscow Mayor briefed the President on the socioeconomic situation in Moscow. In particular, the President discussed with the Moscow Mayor the development prospects for the city’s transport infrastructure, measures to support small and medium-size enterprises, research institutions and high-technology companies in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Volgograd Region Governor Andrei Bocharov to discuss flood relief and social work in the region.

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Acting Governor of the Kemerovo Region Sergei Tsivilev.

Vladimir Putin met with members of the Inspection Commission of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE).

In the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin chaired a State Council meeting on priority areas of activity of the Russian regions to promote competition in the country.

Vladimir Vladimirov informed the President about the socioeconomic situation in the region.

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Aman Tuleyev, who submitted a request for the early termination of his authority as Governor of Kemerovo Region. The President thanked the former governor for his longstanding work as head of the region.

President Putin signed the Executive Order On the Early Termination of the Authority of the Governor of Kemerovo Region, simultaneously appointing Sergei Tsivilev as acting head of the region.

Vladimir Putin met with Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin and Healthcare Minister Veronika Skvortsova.

Vladimir Putin met with local activists who expressed low confidence in the shopping mall fire investigation.

Vladimir Putin visited the Kemerovo shopping mall fire victims in the regional emergency hospital.

The President held a meeting with Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov, Healthcare Minister Veronika Skvortsova and Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin in Kemerovo.

The President arrived in Kemerovo, where over 60 people died in a shopping mall fire. He honoured the memory of the victims by laying flowers at an impromptu memorial outside the building.

The President was briefed about the tragedy in the Kemerovo Region. He offered his condolences to the families and friends of the fire victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

The President’s trip came on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the referendum on Crimea and Sevastopol’s reunification with Russia.

Vladimir Putin met with members of the public to discuss Sevastopol’s topical matters.

The President visited the new air terminal complex of Simferopol International Airport. Construction of the terminal began in May 2016, and it is to be put into operation by the summer tourist season.

Vladimir Putin inspected the completed new road section of the Crimean Bridge, the construction of which began in February 2016. The President also met with the construction workers.