Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the intelligence chief in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been fired. He found that from the beginning of the Russian offensive war, he was not engaged in defending the city, “but only thought of himself,” Zelenskyj said Sunday evening. Law enforcement agencies are now said to be investigating the motives behind it.
The president visited the east of his country on February 24 for the first time since Russia Ukraine. His office published a video on Telegram in which Zelenskyy wore a bulletproof vest while inspecting destroyed buildings in Kharkov and the surrounding area.
Zelenskyj: “Defend country to the last man”
The head of state announced that the destroyed houses would be rebuilt “in Kharkov and all other towns and villages where evil broke out”. He said he would defend the country “to the last man”. “In this war, the occupiers are at least trying to squeeze something out of it,” Zelenskyy said. “But they must have long understood that we will defend our country to the last man. You don’t stand a chance. We will fight and we will win no matter what.”
Video footage circulated showed Zelensky assigning soldiers, inspecting destroyed infrastructure in Kharkov, as well as inspecting burnt-out military vehicles left behind by the Russian army. Selenskyj thanked the soldiers for their efforts. “I am extremely proud of our defenders. Every day they risk their lives to fight for the freedom of Ukraine,” the president said.
Kharkiv & Surroundings: 31 percent under Russian control
Governor Oleh Synehubov reported to Zelenskyy that in Kharkov and the surrounding area, 31 percent of the territory is still under Russian control. Ukraine’s counter-offensive in April and May helped liberate five percent of the area, Synehubov said.
Several explosions were heard in the hard-fought city of Kharkiv several hours after Zelenskyy’s visit, according to a Reuters reporter. A plume of black smoke could be seen over the northeast of the city.
2,229 buildings in Kharkov and the surrounding area have been destroyed, said the Ukrainian president, who has stayed in the capital Kiev since the start of the war on Feb. 24.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
