Ukraine war: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited soldiers in Kharkiv on a rare visit to the front lines.

Several weeks ago, his country’s army were successful in driving Russian forces from their positions near the northeastern city.

“I feel boundless pride in our defenders. Every day, risking their lives, they fight for Ukraine’s freedom,” Mr Zelensky said after his visit. On the same day as his excursion, long-distance Russian bombardments were heard in the vicinity.

According to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, the Kremlin’s onslaught on the city has destroyed more than 2,000 residential properties. The Ukrainian army has retaken another 5% of the region, he said, adding that Russian forces still control around 30% of the territory.

The majority of Russia’s attention, however, is on the eastern Donbas region, which includes the provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. Mr Zelensky conceded on Saturday evening that the battle in the Donbas was “indescribably difficult,” not long after claiming that up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers died there every day.

According to its governor, Serhiy Gaidai, the violence in Luhansk has “seriously intensified,” with dozens of structures destroyed in the last several days.

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