President Volodymyr Zelensky visits soldiers at front-line positions near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on March 22, 2023. (Photo: President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Ukrainian soldiers at front-line positions near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on March 22, according to the President's Office.
During his visit, Zelensky received updates regarding the situation on the front line.
Additionally, Zelensky presented awards to soldiers for their military service and held a moment of silence for those killed in action.
"I am honored to be here today, in the east of our country, in Donbas, to award our heroes, to thank you, and to shake hands. Thank you for protecting the state, its sovereignty, and the east of Ukraine," Zelensky said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian soldiers during his visit to Ukraine's military positions in the Bakhmut area on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian soldiers during his visit to Ukraine's military positions in the Bakhmut area on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian soldiers during his visit to Ukraine's military positions in the Bakhmut area on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian soldiers during his visit to Ukraine's military positions in the Bakhmut area on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
Ukrainian soldiers meet President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Ukraine's military positions in the Bakhmut area on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian soldiers during his visit to Ukraine's military positions in the Bakhmut area on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky visits a hospital where injured Ukrainian soldiers are treated during his trip to the east of Ukraine on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky presents an award to an injured Ukrainian solider at a hospital during his trip to the east of Ukraine on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
Injured Ukrainian soldiers being treated at a hospital during President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit as part of his trip to the east of Ukraine on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky presents an award to a Ukrainian solider at a hospital during his trip to the east of Ukraine on March 22, 2023. (President's Office)
The battle of Bakhmut has been raging in Donetsk Oblast for the past eight months, with heavy losses suffered on both sides. However, Ukrainian forces continue to hold the city.
Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar said on March 20 that the Ukrainian military has been successful "in certain areas" and is "destroying Russia's most professional units," namely the state-backed Wagner Group.
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Several explosions rocked the capital just before 11 p.m., with further attacks around 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported. Ukraine's State Emergency Service (DSNS) said damage was reported in at least three districts.
The overnight assault also damaged a data center in Kyiv and infrastructure in Volyn Region, where around 66,000 electricity metering points were left without power, regional officials said.
"A trilateral meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia could help end the war sooner," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said. "A trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, China, and the U.S. would do only the opposite: encourage Putin to continue this war."
Zelensky has appealed to Washington repeatedly, making the case for additional Patriot missiles as Russia intensifies strikes against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
"The trend this year continues," Zelensky said, "Since the start of fall, our warriors have liberated more territory than the Russians have managed to capture. The same was true at other points this year."
A flying object, likely a drone, entered Lithuanian airspace and exploded on Oct. 18, sending residents to shelters and damaging a civilian vehicle, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.
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