Zelenskyy claims to visit Ukrainian troops deployed near eastern city of Bakhmut

ANKARA (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed on Saturday that he had visited troops near the city of Bakhmut in the east of the country.

In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskyy said he arrived on the occasion of Special Forces Day to personally congratulate Ukrainian soldiers.

"Bakhmut direction, advanced positions of special operations forces. Today I am here to congratulate our soldiers on their professional day. I heard the report of the commander, talked with the military," he wrote.

On May 21, Russia declared full control over the city of Bakhmut, an important transport and logistics hub in the eastern Donetsk region, situated within the predominantly Russian-speaking industrialized Donbas region.

Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials were quick to deny Russia’s claims.

The Russia-Ukraine war is currently nearly 18 months old, with no apparent end in sight.