Zelenskiy visits Ukrainian troops in northeast of the country

(Patria) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday discussed the battlefield situation with commanders in northeastern Ukraine, where he visited frontline troops, Reuters reported.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said he was near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, and heard from Ukrainian ground forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi about defense in that area and offensive actions further south, near Bakhmut.

“It is extremely important that Kharkiv, despite everything, not only holds on but helps make our entire east strong,” Zelenskiy said.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the president said he met with brigades fighting near the towns of Kupiansk and Lyman in the northeast, which Ukrainian forces recaptured late last year. The area has been subjected to Russian attacks in recent months.

“We met with brigade and battalion commanders to discuss the battlefield situation, urgent issues and needs,” he said.

The president discussed winter preparations in Kharkiv as Ukraine expects an escalation of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.

Zelenskiy, who regularly visits troops, handed out awards and urged troops to maintain high morale.

The president's office also released a video showing Zelenskiy shaking hands with soldiers, inspecting equipment supplied by Western countries, sitting at a long table with commanders, and being briefed by an officer standing in front of a map.