KYIV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky visited the northeastern sector of the front line where he met troops fighting against invading Russian forces, his office reported on Monday.
Volodimir Zelensky went to the command post of the brigade which defends the city of Kupiansk, the target of an intensification of Russian attacks since mid-autumn.
The city was liberated by Ukrainian forces in 2022, after its initial occupation by Russian troops following their large-scale invasion on February 24 of that year.
Ukrainian authorities say Russia has not given up on the idea of regaining control of Kupiansk, located near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city.
During his visit, Volodimir Zelensky discussed with the brigade commander the supply of equipment and ammunition to the sector. He also presented awards to the soldiers, his office said.
After an unsuccessful Ukrainian counter-offensive in 2023, Russian troops have intensified their assaults along the eastern front line.
Ukraine said this weekend it had withdrawn its troops from the devastated eastern town of Avdiivka to avoid being surrounded by Russian forces. The capture of Avdiivka constitutes Russia’s greatest battlefield victory since the capture of Bakhmut in May 2023.
(Report by Yuliia Dysa; French version Lina Golovnya, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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