Zelensky visits troops near Zaporizhzhia front as Russian pressure mounts

LONDON/KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops near Ukraine’s southeastern front on Thursday, warning of the need to shore up the lines after losing ground in increasingly high-intensity battles far from Russia’s main offensive in the east. Zelensky, whose government is reeling from a corruption scandal, said the situation near the village of Orikhiv was “one of the most difficult” on a sprawling front and that thwarting Russian forces there was key to shielding the city of Zaporizhzhia.

“(Zaporizhzhia) is an important city, the enemy certainly wants it. We certainly have to defend it,” he said, awarding medals to troops and discussing ways to strengthen the lines.