Mr. Zelensky visited the headquarters of the Chasov Yar defense brigade.

President Zelensky visited several locations near the front line in Donetsk province, including the headquarters of the 41st Brigade defending the city of Chasov Yar.

"I visited one of the headquarters of the 41st Motorized Brigade, which is defending Chasov Yar. I talked with the soldiers, listened to the unit commander's report on the combat situation and the construction of the defense line. I also presented awards to the servicemen here," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today.

The distance from the 41st Brigade headquarters to the front line is unknown.

Video released by Mr Zelensky showed the convoy passing through the welcome gate in the city of Slavyansk, about 30km northwest of Chasov Yar. The Ukrainian president also announced that he had visited a medical platoon and inspected several defense structures in Donetsk province.

Mr. Zelensky visited the headquarters of the Chasov Yar defense brigade. — Mr. Zelensky visits the 41st Brigade headquarters and defense lines in Donetsk province in a video released today. Video: *Telegram/V_Zelenskiy_official*

The visit is aimed at boosting morale of units defending Chasov Yar, a key Ukrainian-held stronghold about 10 km west of Bakhmut.

Chasov Yar is located in the Donbass industrial region, where reinforced concrete products are produced, and refractory clay products are mined and manufactured. The city's elevation above the surrounding area makes it a major logistics center and forward artillery base for the Ukrainian army.

Kiev appears to have deployed at least five brigades to defend the city.

Russia’s elite airborne forces have closed in on the eastern edge of the city, while artillery, air power and drones have pounded the enemy’s defenses. Russia appears to be pressing Ukrainian forces from the east, south and north of Chasov Yar, forcing them to retreat west.

If the Russian army takes control of Chasov Yar, it could launch direct attacks on the remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the area, such as Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Druzhkovka and Konstantinovka. Kramatorsk is the last major city that Ukraine still controls in Donetsk Oblast.

Vu Anh (According to AFP )

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