Russia's prime minister promised to pour funds into Crimea during a surprise visit to the annexed peninsula today as the government looks to tighten their grip on the region. Dimitry Medvedev pledged to give funds to improve power supplies, water lines and education while residents captured trains loaded with Russian military equipment travelling towards the capital Simferopol. Leading a delegation of Cabinet ministers on a surprise visit, Medvedev also said he would quickly boost salaries and pensions. Despite the show of political strength, Russian troops were pulled back from the border with Ukraine amid signs the Kremlin is being stung by Western sanctions.
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Residents film freight trains carrying military equipment into Crimea
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Russia says it is withdrawing forces from Rostov region near Ukraine
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Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev made surprise visit to Crime
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He pledged Russia will pour in resources to annexed peninsula to improve education, health care and local infrastructure
Russia's defense minister, meanwhile, announced Monday that all @placeholder men of conscription age will get a deferral from the draft for one year.