Polish defense minister visits Irpin

Poland's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak has visited the war-torn town of Irpin, Kyiv region, where mass murders of civilians by Russian invaders were recorded.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said this in a statement posted on its website.

According to the report, Blaszczak said he was shocked by the brutality of the Russian invaders.

Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn briefed Blaszczak on the heroic defense and liberation of the town by territorial defense units and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"These are the bloody crimes of the Russians who must be punished. I am proud of Ukrainian defenders who liberated Irpin and, in general, of all military personnel who are currently defending Ukraine," Blaszczak said.

He also visited St. Sophia's Cathedral and Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv, where Russian weapons and military equipment destroyed by the Ukrainian military are on display.

Blaszczak thanked Ukrainian defenders and the Ukrainian people for their bravery in resisting the aggressors.

"Thank you for your position, because the freedom and independence of Ukraine is the freedom and independence of Poland. Thank you for protecting us," he said.

An exhibition of destroyed Russian military equipment "For Your Freedom & Ours" opened in Warsaw in late June.