Zelensky visits frontline Bakhmut — Ukraine’s largest flashpoint

On December 20, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, visited the city of Bakhmut, where fierce battles are taking place in the Donetsk region.

FreeDom and President's Office representative Serhii Nikiforov reported this.

President Zelensky arrived in Bakhmut. The visit of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army was not announced. This was confirmed in the president's office.

"He was really there. And, apparently, he has already left. But for now, for security reasons, we will refrain from commenting," said representative Serhiy Nikiforov.

Iryna Pobiedonostseva, Director General of the Information Policy Directorate, reported that Zelensky met with the military and awarded Ukrainian defenders. The details will be announced later.

The day before, the president talked about the situation at the front, stressing that Bakhmut in Donetsk region remains the largest flashpoint. Zelensky emphasized that the aggressor country, russia, was losing not only its regular army but also mercenaries and mobilized troops.

As Rubryka reported, according to Serhii Cherevatyi, the speaker of the Eastern Group of Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while continuing to defend Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian military is achieving several important goals.

He said that now near Bakhmut, russian invaders are trying to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the area of the city itself, as well as near Klishchiivka and Soledar.

The speaker emphasized that Ukrainian defenders have been preventing the enemy from achieving his goals for many months in a row with daily heroism, coordination, and courage.

"Therefore, here, two main goals are achieved by the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

• the enemy cannot enter the operational space, is unable to carry out a strategic offensive operation, 
• and he suffers huge losses daily," added the spokesperson.

Also, russia's ministry of defense stated that defense minister shoigu "checked the advanced positions of russian units." However, they ended up 75 kilometers from the front line.