The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyj, handed out medals to Ukrainian soldiers in the city of Mykolaiv, according to a video from the Telegram messaging service. The port city is located in the south of the country, between Odesa and Kherson. The area has in recent days been subjected to intense bombing by Russian forces. Graphics: INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR AND AEI’S CRITICAL THREATS PROJECT / news (Updated 18.06.2022) Graphics: INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR AND AEI’S CRITICAL THREATS PROJECT / news (Updated 18.06.2022) Last Friday two people were killed due to Russian attacks. The president has mostly stayed in the capital Kyiv since the Russian invasion began. Now Zelensky is moving closer to the front. In recent weeks, he has visited several areas that have been hard hit by the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyj among ruins in the port city of Mykolajiv.Photo: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / ReutersPhoto: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / Reuters Visited hospital During his visit to Mykolajiv, he met the governor of the region, Vitaliy Kim. Ukrainian authorities have posted a video of Zelensky in the city with the governor. In March, Russian forces reached near Mykolaiv. But they were quickly forced back again. In retrospect, intense fighting has taken place on the outskirts of the city. Zelenskyj takes a picture with health personnel at a hospital in Mykolajiv. Photo: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / ReutersPhoto: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER / Reuters During the visit, Zelenskyj also visited a hospital and took pictures with employees. The president also visited the regional office, which was hit by a Russian missile in March, according to Reuters. 37 people were killed in this attack. The regional building in the port city of Mykolajiv that was destroyed in a Russian missile attack. Photo: STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE / ReutersPhoto: STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE / Reuters Wants to strengthen combat morale Chief researcher at the Defense Research Institute, Tor Bukkvoll, believes that the Ukrainian forces appreciate them that the president appreciates them. – In essence, it is enough to strengthen the morale of the Ukrainian forces, and show that the president is with those who are fighting at the front. Ukraine has big losses at the moment, and it is important to keep the fighting morale up, says Bukkvoll. Chief researcher at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment, Tor Bukkvoll. Photo: FFI – I do not think it is necessary for the Ukrainian warfare that he travels there, but he shows courage, and I think that means a lot to the soldiers and the civilian population in such a difficult time as Ukraine has now. The fighting in Ukraine takes place in the south and east, but the south is currently somewhat calmer than the east, the researcher believes. Takes a risk: – Can be criticized The visit also highlights the differences between the presidential styles of Russia and Ukraine, says Bukkvoll who is also a specialist in the two countries. Going to war zones is not something top Russian politicians do, he believes. – It is possible they look at it as a bit populist. Putin probably would not have thought of traveling all the way to the front. He probably thinks it is not very “statesman-like”. There is also a relatively high risk Zelenskyj takes, Bukkvoll believes. – One can also criticize the type of travel. Zelensky is quite important for the entire Ukrainian resistance struggle, and there is a certain risk in traveling to areas that are so close to the front line, and which are regularly bombed, says Bukkvoll. Health workers released Russian forces have taken several Ukrainians as prisoners of war at the front. On March 16, the health worker, Yulia Pajevsk, was taken prisoner of war by Russian forces. Last night, Zelensky announced that she had been released. Pajevsk had filmed his work during Russian attacks in the city of Mariupol. She had taken footage with a body camera and delivered them to the news agency AP. Yulia Pajevsk had documented his work as a health worker during Russian attacks for the AP. Photo: APFoto: AP Mariupol is one of the cities that has been under the most intense attack. On March 16, she was captured by Russian forces. Russia accused her of being a member of the Azov regiment. The Azov regiment springs from a neo-Nazi group, but today fights under Ukrainian command against Russian forces. The AP found no links between Pajevsk and Azov.
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Zelenskyj visits the front – wants to keep fighting morale up – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
