What is the Kremlin and where is it located?
The world has received regular updates from the Kremlin throughout the Ukraine-Russia war.
It is a key component of Russian politics and the country’s history.
But many have been wondering what The Kremlin refers to – isn’t it just a building?
Here’s what you need to know.
For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our live blog: Russia-Ukraine live
What is the Kremlin?
Much like Westminster in the UK, the Kremlin refers to both a location and the government.
The Kremlin is a fortified (walled) complex in the centre of Moscow, Russia’s capital city.
The citadel consists of the colourful St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, and Peterhof Palace – plus towers, four more palaces, and three more striking cathedrals.
UNESCO, which lists the Kremlin as a World Heritage Site, writes that the Kremlin was first mentioned as early as 1147.
Some of it was built in the early 1400s and 1500s. Its grand buildings came to be seen as a display of power for Russian monarchs, known as Tsars.
It is, in normal times, a major tourist attraction for Russia – attracting millions in visitors.
But, when we hear about the Kremlin in a political context, the term ‘Kremlin’ is being used as a metonym.
It describes the Russian government as a whole – much like using ‘The White House’ or ‘Washington’ to collectively describe the US government.
So, if an update on the Russia-Ukraine war has come from ‘the Kremlin’, it typically means it has come from a top minister or advisor – or more generally the government.
The Kremlin is also the official residence of the Russian government, but Russian President Vladimir Putin does not live there full-time.
He is believed to live in Novo-Ogaryovo, an estate in the Moscow Oblast.
Where is the Kremlin located?
As mentioned, the Kremlin is located in Moscow – but technically it’s not the only Kremlin in Russia.
Many of the vast country’s major cities have their own Kremlin, again built hundreds of years ago as fortresses.
Examples of cities with Kremlins include Tula, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Tobolsk (in Siberia), and Veliky Novgorod.
Russia-Ukraine war: Everything you need to know
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has entered its seventh day, with the attacks beginning on February 24.
Since then, Ukraine has suffered widespread damages and loss of life amid Russia's major bombing campaign.
The majority of attacks have been focused in the capital city of Kyiv, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently based.
Russian President Vladamir Putin is prepared to resume talks with Ukraine in bid to end war, according to a Kremlin spokesperson.
- Russia claims to have seized control of its first major Ukrainian city
- Putin tells Macron 'worst is yet to come' and he wants to control all of Ukraine
- Footage appears to confirm world's biggest plane was destroyed in Kyiv fighting
- Putin left with few allies as world condemns Ukraine 'atrocities'
- Superyachts belonging to close Putin ally and oligarch seized in Europe
- More than one million people have now fled Ukraine after one week of war
- Ukraine says Chechen hit squad sent to kill Zelensky 'eliminated'
- Cargo ship 'sunk by mine' close to Russian Navy
- Russia attempts to take Europe's biggest nuclear plant after Ukrainians block it
- WWE terminates Russian broadcasting partnerships in wake of invasion
- Where in London to donate clothes, food and toiletries for Ukraine
- Netflix pauses all future projects and acquisitions of Russia in response to invasion
Follow Metro.co.uk's live blog for rolling coverage of conflict as it happens.
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