Russia Zelensky travels to the front line in Kharkiv region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has visited an army command post near the embattled small town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region close to the Russian border. "This section is probably one of the most difficult," emphasized the head of state in a video published on Telegram.

Zelensky awarded medals to soldiers on the occasion of Special Forces Day. In May, Russian troops crossed the border near Vovchansk in the east of the country. Since then, heavy fighting has raged around the town, which is around four kilometers from the border.

The President also visited the small town of Derhachi, just a few kilometers north of Kharkiv. Zelenskyi was shown 18 rebuilt houses and newly equipped shelters. As a result of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the small town has come under fire several times.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Donetsk region, the Russian military reported the capture of the village of Vovche. Ukrainian media had already reported the loss of the settlement and the neighboring village of Prohres several days ago, citing a battalion commander of the 47th Brigade. However, the Ukrainian army has not yet officially confirmed the withdrawal.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for more than two years. Including the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, Moscow controls around a fifth of Ukraine's territory.