Zelensky knows it is almost over on the battlefield. The Russians are now massing and all hopes are now pinned on getting Nato forces into the country. In other words, to save his dictatorship, Zelensky would go as far as to bring the world to global war.
Volodymyr Zelensky recently made a surprise visit to the Donetsk region in Eastern Ukraine, aiming to boost the morale of Ukrainian troops amidst ongoing Russian military advancements. During his visit, Zelensky filmed a video message in front of the war-touched city of Pokrovsk, which before the conflict housed roughly 61,000 inhabitants and has been one of the epicenters of intense combat throughout the 28-month invasion.
I visited the Donetsk region together with our warriors, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, and the new Commander of the Joint Forces, General Hnatov. Today, I officially introduced him to all those responsible for defense in the Donetsk region and received reports directly from… pic.twitter.com/q5tJjWhbh6
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 26, 2024
Accompanying Zelensky was Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov, the newly appointed leader of the joint forces operation, who took over earlier in the week following the dismissal of a previous general criticized for decisions leading to heavy casualties.
During his time in the Donetsk region, Zelensky discussed numerous crucial matters, including the continuation of essential services like water supply, social issues, evacuations, defense strategies, and the reconstruction of housing. His visit to Pokrovsk occurred shortly after the city suffered a devastating “double-tap” missile strike by Russia, where two missiles targeted the same location within a thirty-minute span, resulting in at least five fatalities and 41 injuries.
Despite some strategic shifts, such as Ukraine’s ability to target Russian territories with newly sanctioned Western weapons slowing Moscow’s advance near Kharkiv, Russia continues its aggressive stance in the eastern regions. Ukrainian forces face significant challenges against a larger Russian ground offensive targeting the entire Donetsk and Luhansk areas.
Occupying troops of the russians massively destroy the city of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region with TOS-1A “Solntsepok” heavy flamethrower systems.
“Watch the video of the destruction of the Ukrainian city by TOS. The whole world should see it”
, – said the military.Because when… pic.twitter.com/SOi5TtV4GF
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) June 26, 2024
An independent Ukrainian analysis group, Deepstate, revealed that Russian troops recently seized the village of Novooleksandrivka, moving them nearer to a vital highway connecting Pokrovsk to Kostiantynivka, crucial for Ukrainian logistics.
Amidst these battlefield developments, Moscow, led by Vladimir Putin, has suggested opening peace talks contingent on Ukraine’s surrender of four key regions—a proposal Kyiv has firmly rejected, viewing it as a surrender that would leave the nation vulnerable to future conflicts.
In a more diplomatic arena, a notable prisoner exchange took place under the oversight of the United Arab Emirates, with each side releasing 90 prisoners. This exchange is part of ongoing efforts facilitated by the UAE, which has maintained a neutral position since the conflict’s outset.
Over the past day, the Russians dropped five bombs on Toretsk, including FAB-500 and FAB-250, and hit the city 7 times in total.
The Russian army shelled 11 settlements in the region, killing one person, injuring 11 residents of Donetsk region, and damaging 41 civilian objects. pic.twitter.com/xoNfHNhCv1
— Bakhmut IN.UA (@Bakhmutinua_eng) June 26, 2024
Reflecting on the return of Ukrainian soldiers, Zelensky emphasized the emotional weight of their return, sharing images on social media with the poignant caption, “Home is not just a word. Home means Ukraine,” highlighting the deep personal and national significance of the ongoing conflict and the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit.
Major Points
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an unannounced visit to the Donetsk region to boost troop morale as Russian forces continue their offensive.
- Zelensky recorded a video in Pokrovsk, a heavily affected city, and discussed critical issues like social services, defense, and reconstruction.
- His visit followed a severe Russian missile attack on Pokrovsk, which resulted in casualties and significant damage.
- Despite some strategic gains for Ukraine, Russian forces captured key territories, pushing closer to critical Ukrainian supply routes.
- A significant prisoner swap facilitated by the UAE occurred, exchanging 90 prisoners from each side, underscoring ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst the conflict.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
