During a working trip to Donetsk Region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to combat brigades engaged in offensive operations in the Bakhmut sector, states the presidential press service.
In particular, the Head of State visited the location of the 93rd separate mechanised brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", 28th separate mechanised brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign and 92nd separate mechanised brigade named after Kish Otaman Ivan Sirko.
The President met with Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Commander of the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops Oleksandr Syrskyi and heard reports on the operational situation in the area of responsibility of the Lyman and Soledar operational and tactical groups.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed in detail with the combatants the problematic issues and needs of the units. In particular, they discussed the provision of artillery shells, missiles for the frontline air defence systems, evacuation vehicles and electronic warfare equipment.
For courage and selflessness in the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the Head of State awarded the warriors of the Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the I-III degrees, "For Courage" of the II-III degrees and the Orders of Princess Olga.
"I am honored to be here today and thank you from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people, for your strength, for defending our country and our borders. For your lives, which you, together with your brothers-in-arms, give for every inch of our native independent land. I am grateful for every day. I wish you health and victory. Warm greetings to your family and friends. I bow to your parents who raised such true Ukrainians as you. Glory to Ukraine!" Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during the award ceremony.
Today the General Staff reported that the Ukrainian army was successful in the direction of Robotyno-Novoprokopivka. The offensive continues at the Bakhmut and Melitopol directions, while at the Avdiyivka and Maryinka directions, the defenders are holding back the enemy's advance.