Zelensky Visits Border Guards Near Russia

Footage released by the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shows that he "visited two towns in the north of the country and trenches of the border guards near Russia today, Tuesday, in the latest stop during his regional tour of areas near the frontline." Among his tour, Sumy was the sixth region he has visited in a week as expectations rise for a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Zelensky walked with border guard leaders through a deep trench at an undisclosed location among trees in Sumy, closely monitored by troops in combat uniforms. He also visited the towns of Okhtyrka and Trostianets, which expelled Russian forces that occupied parts of the Sumy region for nearly a month at the beginning of the Russian assault in February last year. Zelensky told a small gathering of soldiers and civilians at the train station in Trostianets before handing out medals: "In these days and weeks we celebrate the liberation of our cities and communities in our northern regions." Some buildings in the two towns have been severely damaged in the fighting, and Ukrainian officials say that lands close to the border continue to be regularly subjected to Russian artillery and airstrikes.