Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he had visited troops in the village of Robotyn, on the southern front line, which Kiev liberated this summer, raising hopes, since dashed, of a breakthrough.
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“Zaporizhia Region. Robotyn. Location of the 65th Mechanized Brigade. I spoke with the defenders, thanked them and presented state awards.” “It is an honor to be here today.”
The Ukrainian president posted a video clip on Facebook showing him in military uniform heading to meet soldiers in a dark, basement-like room.
Zelensky told the fighters: “I am honored to be here today to reward you, because you have a difficult and decisive task on your shoulders to repel the enemy and win this war.”
He added: “I wish you victory, I want to reward you and I hope you will do everything to achieve this victory faster.”
Two robots were recovered from Russian forces in August last year, during an attack led by the 65th Brigade, which Kiev described as a major success in its counteroffensive against Russian forces.
But since then, the small village has been relentlessly attacked by Russian forces and has become one of the major hotspots on the southern front.
