Zelenskiy Visits Kharkiv Frontline Amid Intensified Air Defence Efforts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the frontline in Vovchansk, Kharkiv, as Russia attempts new offensives. He presented state awards to soldiers and discussed bolstering air defence systems. Despite frequent Russian air attacks, Ukraine's military has managed to halt Russian advances with the help of Western anti-aircraft systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy traveled to the frontline area of Vovchansk in northeastern Kharkiv near the Russian border, where Moscow's forces are attempting to break through.

Russian troops opened a new front in the region in May, advancing quickly up to 10 km. Ukraine's military later stopped this offensive. 'Kharkiv front. The forward command post of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the area of Vovchansk,' Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

He was seen presenting state awards to soldiers and shaking hands in a video posted alongside his statement. Zelenskiy said Ukraine had already begun strengthening air defence systems in Kharkiv, where Russian air attacks have lessened recently.

'In terms of security, and without going into too many details, we have already begun strengthening the airspace around Kharkiv,' Zelenskiy told entrepreneurs in the neighboring Poltava region. Supplies of Western anti-aircraft systems have started arriving faster after a delay caused by disagreements in the U.S. Congress.

He said these systems would be quickly introduced 'where the number of attacks is greater.' The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia continued to conduct air strikes in the region's border areas. In the last 24 hours, Kyiv's forces repelled six assaults near Vovchansk and Hlyboke village, which is over 30 km west.

While Russia's attacks in the Donetsk region remain its main offensive, the assault into Kharkiv has stretched Ukraine's defenders, forcing Kyiv to send in reinforcements. Ukraine successfully lobbied allies to allow the use of Western weapons for strikes across the border from Kharkiv. This has helped fend off Russian advances, 29 months into their full-scale invasion.

Kyiv is now urging allies to lift restrictions on using Western weapons for more strikes deep inside Russia, targeting military airfields. During his Kharkiv visit, Zelenskiy also toured Derhachi town, frequently targeted by Russian missile and bomb attacks.

(With inputs from agencies.)