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President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region - Foreign Affairs - Nairaland

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President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Igbofam2: 8:24pm On May 29, 2022
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited troops in the Kharkiv region, on the country's battered eastern front line.

It was his first official trip outside the Kyiv region since the Russian invasion began on 24 February.

He was pictured in a bullet-proof vest surveying ruins in Kharkiv city.

Mr Zelensky told soldiers, "I want to thank each of you for your service." Later, he sacked the local security chief for "not defending" the city.

Russia has resumed shelling Kharkiv - Ukraine's second-largest city - in recent days after a fortnight of comparative quiet.

The city - Ukraine's second-largest - faced intense bombardment in the war's first months, with images showing tower blocks flattened to rubble.

Russian troops were gradually pushed back from its surrounding towns during April and May, prompting some who had fled Kharkiv to return, and the metro to reopen for the first time since the invasion.

But the city remains within range of Russian artillery. Several loud explosions were heard in the city after Mr Zelensky's visit.

Russia pushed back from Kharkiv - front line

President Zelensky's office posted a video on Telegram with the caption: "2,229 buildings have been destroyed in Kharkiv and the region. We will restore, rebuild and bring back life. In Kharkiv and all other towns and villages where evil came."


The president also visited the city of Kharkiv, which was bombarded day and night in the war's early months

The footage featured Ukrainian soldiers giving Mr Zelensky a tour of the damage wrought by the war, including broken down trucks by the side of a road.

"In this war, the occupiers are trying to squeeze out at least some result," Mr Zelensky posted later.

"But they should have understood long ago that we will defend our land to the last man. They have no chance. We will fight and we will definitely win."

The president said he had fired Roman Dudin, the chief of the Security Service of Ukraine for the Kharkiv region "for the fact that he did not work on the defence of the city from the first days of the full-scale war, but thought only about himself".

"On which motives? The law enforcement officers will figure it out," he added.


A morale boost for Kharkiv, but risk remains

Today's visit to Kharkiv is the first time President Zelensky has left the Kyiv region since the start of Russia's invasion.

He met the troops who have not just defended Kharkiv, but repelled the Russians, almost pushing them back to the international border.

The fact that he was able to visit shows just how much the tide has turned in Ukraine's second city. A few weeks ago, this morale-boosting visit would never have been possible.


But, do not be mistaken, Kharkiv is only safe for now. Elsewhere, Ukraine very much appears on the back foot, with Russian artillery barrages forcing troops to retreat in the Donbas.

With its charismatic president, Ukraine has very much won the informational war. Unfortunately for Ukrainians, that is not where this conflict will ultimately be decided.


The president met Kharkiv's mayor and the regional governor to discuss reconstruction plans, reportedly urging them to "find cool projects" to help rehabilitate the ravaged city.

"This is a chance for such districts to have a new face," Mr Zelensky said.

His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said 31% of the Kharkiv region's territory was currently occupied by Russia, while 5% had been re-taken by Ukraine after being occupied earlier.


Russia is presently concentrating its offensive on the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which it has vowed to seize as a key war aim.

Russian forces are trying to encircle the cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. On Saturday Russia's defence ministry said it had taken the nearby town of Lyman, in Donetsk - part of the overall Donbas region.


"The situation is very difficult, especially in those areas in the Donbas and Kharkiv regions," Mr Zelensky said on Saturday in his daily address to the nation.

An estimated 15,000 civilians are still in Severodonetsk, where a local official said "constant shelling" made it hard to get in or out. The water supply is increasingly precarious.

Oleksandr Stryuk, head of the city's military and civil administration, said evacuation is "very unsafe", noting "it's isolated cases when we manage to get people out".

"Now the priority is for the wounded and people who need serious medical assistance."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61625512.amp

12 Likes 1 Share

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Igbofam2: 8:25pm On May 29, 2022
Now this is a true leader. He leads from the front. Boldly visiting a region still under Russian missile attacks.

His Soldiers remain ever loyal

The real people's President. Unlike that other one who keeps hiding inside one bunker and sitting behind long tables away from his people

136 Likes 10 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Danwakae(m): 8:33pm On May 29, 2022
Ukrainian troops are proud fighting, while the Russian troops r all sad fighting

147 Likes 7 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by YinkaOlusesi16(m): 8:34pm On May 29, 2022
if nigeria past leaders can be like this, this country for don beta pass like this.

57 Likes 3 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by God1000(m): 8:43pm On May 29, 2022
He's Putin worst nightmare

32 Likes 1 Share

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by gambojimeta: 8:48pm On May 29, 2022
Story of David and Goliath. Kudos to the brave men and women at the frontlines.

64 Likes 4 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by longetivity(m): 8:50pm On May 29, 2022
Igbofam2 the zinoleesky boy cheesy

9 Likes

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Harrykn: 9:28pm On May 29, 2022
Playboy zelensky...
Ukraine has won the war !!!
Allahu Akbar.

12 Likes 5 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Kingsnairaland(m): 9:28pm On May 29, 2022
Oh God we pray please may we never have a president that will sacrifice the life's of his people for USA and nato.

57 Likes 7 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Admission60: 10:03pm On May 29, 2022
A brave man

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by GboyegaD(m): 10:04pm On May 29, 2022
They are true soldiers defending the sovereignty of their country.

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Sunofgod(m): 10:04pm On May 29, 2022
He's putting on weight....seems to be getting 'fat' from war?

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Abaman001(m): 10:04pm On May 29, 2022
.
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Hndrrxxx(m): 10:04pm On May 29, 2022
I r
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Skillsnigeria: 10:04pm On May 29, 2022
That's good
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by YeyeGbami: 10:04pm On May 29, 2022
Why are you running??

1 Like

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by iTommysco: 10:05pm On May 29, 2022
A
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by EdiskyHarry: 10:05pm On May 29, 2022
A comedian will always be a comedian.
This man's action should be a lesson to everyone that votes in a comedian as president .
Today like 50 % of Ukrain has been destroyed because zelensky wants to be called a hero by USA and NATO at the expense of innocent people's lives.

70 Likes 12 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Authoreety: 10:05pm On May 29, 2022
Ok
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by DTruthman: 10:06pm On May 29, 2022
Ss
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by money121(m): 10:06pm On May 29, 2022
Nice one
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Trill2(m): 10:06pm On May 29, 2022
F
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by joyandfaith: 10:08pm On May 29, 2022
When will Putin visit occupied regions of Crimea and Donbas?
Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Nobody: 10:09pm On May 29, 2022
zelensky is short but must his bullet proof vest be short too? Anyways is too early to say that Ukraine has won this war remember this is an ongoing offensive by the Russians, is a test of how long the west would keep supporting Ukraine

3 Likes

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by abobote: 10:11pm On May 29, 2022
Brave man.
Posterity will be kind to you.
President with balls, unlike the slowpoke in Aso Rock

20 Likes 1 Share

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by Jackson667: 10:12pm On May 29, 2022
Comedian president grin watching your country get destroyed. Do you know Russia now controls land area the size of England in Ukraine. While Ukraine keeps winning on social media

17 Likes 2 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by onunwa21(m): 10:16pm On May 29, 2022
This Ukraine president is ever ready for Putin

1 Like

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by abobote: 10:16pm On May 29, 2022
EdiskyHarry:
A comedian will always be a comedian.
This man's action should be a lesson to everyone that votes in a comedian as president .
Today like 50 % of Ukrain had been destroyed because zelensky wants to be called a hero by USA and NATO at the expense of innocent people's lives.
You know nothing about the "Oath" of defending the territorial integrity of a country.
He is a hero and history will remember him as such, for standing against that bully you called, Putin

57 Likes 6 Shares

Re: President Zelensky Visits Kharkiv In First Trip Outside Kyiv Region by tnerro1(m): 10:17pm On May 29, 2022
Better ask bubu for advice before doing such things ooo

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