As Russian-backed troops seize control over Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down. Some 1,320 miles northwest of Crimea, the president "watched the military exercises of troops and forces of the Western and Central districts," according to his official Twitter handle.

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The Kremlin released photos of the Russian strongman inspecting his troops today in the Leningrad military district alongside Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Western Military District Commander, Anatoly Sidorov and Chief of Combat Training of the Armed Forces, Ivan Buvaltsev. General Shoigu announced the "snap check" exercises last week, citing the "crisis situation" next door.