Zelenskiy praises troops during visit to eastern Ukraine

Avdiivka was one of the major targets of the Russian winter offensive, which was launched to reinvigorate Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, the offensive has only made small territorial gains in the east.

Zelenskiy’s office released video footage showing him addressing soldiers in combat gear, and awarding them in what looked like a large warehouse. Sandbags were packed up against one of the walls.

He said: "It is an honour for me to be present today and thank you for the service that you have provided in defending our country, Ukraine, and our families. I wish only victory to every Ukrainian. This is important for us all."

Zelenskiy visited a hospital, where he met with wounded soldiers and presented awards.

Video footage shows the heavily damaged residential buildings of Avdiivka where, according to officials, about 1,800 civilians still remain.

Zelenskiy visited the troops in recent weeks, before what was widely expected to become a Ukrainian offensive.

The Kremlin confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with troops during his visit to Russian-occupied areas of the Kherson region and Luhansk on Monday.

Andriy Yeromak, his head of office, accompanied Zelenskiy in Avdiivka. He said that Ukrainian troops prevented Russia from encircling Avdiivka.

He said that battles are taking place in other parts of the region and "successful defense" is key.

"Our army has already thwarted the enemy's plan to break through (Ukrainian defences) and advance in east," Yermak stated on the Telegram message app.

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