Zelenskyy pays surprise visit to war-ravaged frontline city of Bakhmut
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo:Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made an unannounced visit to the war-ravaged frontline city of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine’s Freedom TV channel reported on Telegram on Dec. 19, quoting local correspondents.
Presidential spokesman Serhiy Nikiforov told public broadcaster Suspilne that Zelenskyy visited forward positions in Bakhmut, where he awarded soldiers with medals and presented them with gifts.
According to him, Zelenskyy has already left the city.
On the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dec. 6, the head of state visited Donbas, where he also presented state awards and gifts to the Ukrainian military.
Fierce fighting has been ongoing in Bakhmut in recent months.
Serhiy Cherevatyy, spokesman of the Eastern Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated on national television on Dec. 4 that the Russians were losing 50 to 100 people killed and the same number wounded a day in fighting around Bakhmut.
According to him, by holding the defense of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian military can achieve several important goals: the Russians cannot enter the operational space, are unable to carry out a strategic offensive operation, and are suffering huge losses every day.
Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, earlier stated that the capture of Bakhmut has a symbolic meaning for the Russian invaders.
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