31 Dec 2013 17:32

Putin arrives in Khabarovsk, visits temporary accommodation center for those affected by floods

KHABAROVSK. Dec 31 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived to Khabarovsk, where he celebrated the New Year with people affected by floods in the Far East.

Prior to this, Putin visited a temporary accommodation center for people affected by floods and then invited them to join him at a New Year reception organized in the Khabarovsk House of Culture.

On his way to Khabarovsk, Putin stopped in Chita and invited to the reception the widow of the contract soldier, who died this autumn while helping in clean up efforts after the floods - the woman and her three children arrived in Khabarovsk together with Putin in the presidential plane, Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.