Zelenskyy visits Ukraine's east for first time since conflict began
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited troops on the frontline in northeastern Kharkiv region in his first official appearance outside the Kiev region since the start of Russia's offensive.
Zelenskyy called on local officials to "find cool projects" to rebuild destroyed areas.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the Kharkiv region in country’s east, where Moscow has retreated in recent weeks, for the first time since the Russian onslaught began.
Zelenskyy's office on Sunday posted a video on Telegram of him wearing a bullet-proof vest and being shown heavily destroyed buildings in Kharkiv and its surroundings.
"2,229 buildings have been destroyed in Kharkiv and the region. We will restore, rebuild and bring back life. In Kharkiv and all other towns and villages where evil came," the post said.
The Ukrainian leader has been based in Kiev since Russia launched his full-scale attack on February 24.
READ MORE: Ukraine 'receives' anti-ship missiles, self-propelled howitzers from allies
The president's chief of staff said that 31 percent of Kharkiv region's territory was currently occupied by Russia, and a further 5 percent had been taken back by Ukraine having been occupied earlier.
'Find cool projects'
In the video, Ukrainian soldiers showed Zelenskyy destroyed trucks on the side of a road going through a field.
"In this war, the occupiers are trying to squeeze out at least some result," Zelenskyy said in a later post.
"But they should have understood long ago that we will defend our land to the last man. They have no chance. We will fight and we will definitely win."
He also met local officials -- the governor of Kharkiv region and the mayor of the city -- to discuss reconstruction programs for the region.
He called on them to "find cool projects" to rebuild destroyed areas.
"This is a chance for such districts to have a new face," Zelensky said.
Copyright © 2024 TRT World.