Ukraine’s president visits front-line positions in Zaporizhzhia region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday visited front-line positions in his country’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, as the Russia-Ukraine war nears its second year.

“Zaporizhzhia region. Robotyne. The location of the 65th Mechanized Brigade. I spoke with the defenders, thanked them, and presented them with state awards,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.

Expressing that Ukrainian soldiers have a “difficult and critical” mission tasked to them, namely to “repel the enemy and defend Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said that it is an honor for him to visit them, as well as to support and reward them.

He also met with local military and law enforcement officials to discuss the security situation in the Zaporizhzhia region.

"We focused on the battlefield situation, Avdiivka defense, Robotyne and other frontline areas, fortifications, critical infrastructure and defense industry protection," Zelenskyy further said on X.

During his visit, Zelenskyy also appointed Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov as Zaporizhzhia's new governor, according to a decree released by the Ukrainian presidency.

"My goal remains the same - to unite efforts around the approaching victory of Ukraine," Federov said on Telegram, commenting on his appointment.

Ukrainian officials announced in August 2023, amid the country's counteroffensive against Russian forces, that it re-took control of Robotyne.