KYIV | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited on Sunday for the first time since the Russian invasion in the east of the country, in the Kharkiv region, from where Moscow has withdrawn its troops in recent weeks to concentrate them on other foreheads.
• Read also: In Ukraine, the race to “memorize” historic buildings
• Read also: The Russian noose is tightening on key cities in Donbass, Ukraine
• Read also: Lithuanians raise 5 million euros to offer a combat drone to Ukraine
“2,229 houses destroyed in Kharkiv and the region. We will restore, rebuild and bring life back. In Kharkiv and in all the other towns and villages where evil has come,” he said on Telegram, accompanying his message with a video of his visit.
The images show him inspecting the destruction and destroyed vehicles on the side of the road, dressed in a khaki outfit and a bulletproof vest, accompanied by collaborators and armed soldiers.
“In this war, the occupiers are trying to achieve any result. But they must have understood for a long time that we will defend our land to the end. They have no chance. We will fight and we will win,” said Mr. Zelensky.
Bombarded almost daily since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, Kharkiv, the second city of the country, has been experiencing a respite for a few weeks with the departure of Russian troops in other directions to the East and South. The eastern part of the city nevertheless remains sometimes targeted.
