A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) visiting the advanced positions of the Ukrainian military in the Bakhmut direction, during a working trip to the Donetsk region, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, 22 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion of the country. EFE/EPA/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Zelenksyy visits troops in frontline city of Bakhmut
Kyiv, Mar 22 (EFE).- Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenksyy visited the embattled eastern city of Bakhmut on Wednesday, the site of the longest battle of the war in Ukraine so far, the presidential office confirmed.
“I am honored to be here today, in the east of our country, in Donbas, and to award our heroes, to thank you, to shake hands,” Zelenskyy said. “Thank you for protecting the state, sovereignty, the east of Ukraine.”
A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (front) hugging a servicewoman as he visits the advanced positions of the Ukrainian military in the Bakhmut direction, during a working trip to the Donetsk region, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, 22 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion of the country. EFE/EPA/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
The Ukrainian leader awarded medals to soldiers and observed a minute of silence to remember those who have died in the fighting.
A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) talking with injured servicemen as he visits a military hospital during a working trip to the Donetsk region, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, 22 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion of the country. EFE/EPA/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
During his trip to eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy paid a visit to the hospital where wounded soldiers are being treated, thanked them for defending their country and wished them “a speedy recovery”, while also thanking the military doctors for their “professionalism.”
“Until victory it is necessary to save the lives of many people who are defending our country. You are defending it at your front. I wish you health and I am grateful that you are returning this health to the boys and girls who are at the front,” he said.
A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) awarding a serviceman during a visit to the advanced positions of the Ukrainian military in the Bakhmut direction, part of a working trip to the Donetsk region, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, 22 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion of the country. EFE/EPA/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Bakhmut is a major flashpoint in the conflict between Ukraine and invading Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, where both sides have claimed to have inflicted major casualties.EFE
