President Vladimir Putin inked a decree creating a ministry for Crimean affairs which he entrusted to Oleg Saveliev (photo).

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited Crimea Monday, March 31, to assess the peninsula’s needs. He has already made ​​arrangements to supply the region with gas, electricity and water.

Also on site, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has compiled an inventory of new military property, integrated the militias into the armed forces, and introduced conscription starting 2015.