President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he visited Lysychansk and Soledar, two cities very close to some of the most intense fighting on the eastern frontline between Ukrainian troops and Russian forces.
The beleaguered city of Lysychansk is just a few miles south of Severodonetsk, where one of the war’s biggest ground battles continues to rage and which Ukraine claims to be regaining more control of.
“I went with the head of (my) office to the east. We were in Lysychansk and Soledar,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address, adding he would not elaborate on the visit.
In two separate videos released later, Mr Zelensky, dressed in his trademark khaki t-shirt, was seen talking to troops in confined, bunker-like structures, presenting some with awards and addressing others.
“What you all deserve is victory – that is the most important thing. But not at any cost,” Mr Zelensky said in one of the videos.
The visits were rare outings by the president outside the capital Kyiv since the start of the Russian invasion, and could be the closest to the frontl ine yet.
Follow the latest updates below.
02:30 AM
Australian army veteran praises Zelensky’s bravery
Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to the battlefield gave him an important firsthand view of military operations and was a morale booster for his front-line troops, former Australian army general Mick Ryan said.
It also demonstrated “he has total trust in his army” and served to heighten the contrast between his leadership style and that of his Russian opponent Vladimir Putin.
“An important characteristic demonstrated by Zelensky is his willingness to take personal risk to visit soldiers in the field, and get his own sense of how military operations are unfolding,” Mr Ryan tweeted on Monday.
“This is an important way that Zelensky differentiates himself from his adversary.
“I am pretty sure that Putin will not be accepting invitations to visit the poorly fed and led – but well-armed – Russian troops in Ukraine at any point in the near future.”
01:52 AM
Zelensky congratulates the Queen on her reign
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
“I wish Her Majesty wellbeing, and peace and prosperity to (the UK),” he said on Twitter.
Congratulations on the Platinum anniversary of the reign of the Queen of ???????? Her Majesty Elizabeth II @RoyalFamily. Grateful for supporting ???????? in the fight for our freedom and independence. I wish Her Majesty well-being and peace and prosperity to ???????? people.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 5, 2022
01:32 AM
In pictures: Smiles as Zelensky visits Ukrainians in Zaporizhzhia
01:06 AM
Britain’s pledge of advanced missiles triggers threats from Putin
Britain has promised to send its first long-range missiles to Ukraine after a similar US pledge which on Sunday triggered Vladimir Putin to threaten to strike new targets.
The M270 missile system is the Army’s most advanced rocket system and has a range of 50 miles, a longer reach than any missile technology currently being used on Ukraine’s battlefields.
“As Russia’s tactics change, so must our support to Ukraine,” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.
“These highly capable multiple-launch rocket systems will enable our Ukrainian friends to better protect themselves against the brutal use of long-range artillery, which Putin’s forces have used indiscriminately to flatten cities.”
01:05 AM
Zelensky promises displaced Ukrainians will be rehoused
President Zelensky has pledged that all displaced Ukrainians would be properly rehoused after visiting a medical facility in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia.
He spoke with people forced to leave their homes, including those from Mariupol, which is now under Russian control.
“We will truly help you tackle this issue,” the president’s office quoted him as saying
The governor claims that 60 per cent of the region is under Russian occupation.
12:32 AM
Today’s top stories
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Britain has promised to send its first long-range missiles to Ukraine after a similar US pledge which on Sunday triggered Vladimir Putin to threaten to strike new targets
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President Volodymyr Zelensky said he visited two cities very close to some of the most intense fighting between his country’s troops and Russian forces
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A barrage of Russian missiles struck Ukraine’s capital on Sunday, hitting unspecified “infrastructure” targets, Kyiv’s mayor said
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A Ukrainian counter-attack is “blunting” the “operational momentum” of Russian forces in the contested city of Severodonetsk, the UK Ministry of Defence said
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Pope Francis renewed calls for “real negotiations” to end what he called the “increasingly dangerous escalation” of the conflict in Ukraine
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Ukraine’s state-run nuclear power operator Energoatom said a Russian cruise missile flew “critically low” over a major nuclear power plant
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Grain silos in the Black Sea port city of Mykolaiv were struck on Sunday by Russian missiles, Ukraine’s southern operational command said, amid a looming global food crisis
