Zelenskyy visits front line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast amid withdrawal of troops in region – photos

Yevhen Kizilov - 13 November, 13:17

Фото з зустрічей. Джерело: Офіс президента

Amid the recent loss of several settlements, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Zaporizhzhia Oblast to meet with Ukrainian troops defending the region.

Source: website of the Ukrainian President

Details: Zelenskyy met with soldiers of the 128th Zakarpattia Separate Mountain Assault Brigade, which is defending the Stepnohirsk area. Brigade Commander Ihor Burdeinyi reported on combat activity and the recent intensification of Russian assaults, including attempts to bypass Ukrainian fortifications by exploiting the terrain.

The president discussed with military commanders the implementation of drone procurement programmes, financed both by brigade funds and through Army of Drones.Bonus electronic credits, as well as the use of Vampire drones. Zelenskyy emphasised that all raised issues would be addressed.

The meetings.

Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine

The president also visited the command post of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade Velykyi Luh, part of the 17th Corps, which defends the Orikhiv front. Brigade Commander Volodymyr Polishchuk briefed Zelenskyy on the operational situation, Russian activity and Russian losses. Discussions with battalion commanders focused on measures to reinforce the Orikhiv front, including personnel recruitment, light armoured vehicles, weapons and electronic warfare systems.

The parties also discussed expanding drone and robotic evacuation units, scaling up the brigade's successful use of ground robotic systems for evacuation of casualties.

Zelenskyy presented state awards to soldiers of both the 128th and 65th brigades.

The meetings.

Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine

Background:

On 11 November, Defence Forces of Ukraine's South reported a withdrawal of troops from positions near five settlements in Zaporizhzhia due to intensified Russian assaults.
On 12 November, Ukrainian troops pulled back from Rivnopillia in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
On 13 November, analysts from DeepState confirmed that Russian occupation forces had taken control of Yablukove, also in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and made tactical gains in parts of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

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