Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited a command post near the embattled town of Chasiv Yar during a trip to the eastern Ukrainian frontline region of Donetsk.
Zelensky was briefed on the situation on site, the head of state said on Telegram on Friday. He then awarded medals to soldiers.
The small town of Chasiv Yar is considered to be the Russian army's next target. The front runs a few kilometres from the town centre. Chasiv Yar is not far from Bakhmut, which was captured by the Russians almost a year ago after heavy fighting.
Zelensky had previously visited the wounded in a hospital in the city of Slovyansk and inspected the expansion of new defence positions. Zelensky has visited the expanded defence lines several times in recent weeks.
Zelensky also travelled to Dnipro, where he enquired about the security situation and protective measures for the city's critical infrastructure.
"It is very important that all those who need help now receive it," he wrote on Telegram. "And we are working with our partners to provide additional air-defence systems for Ukraine."
Dnipro has recently been the target of several Russian air and missile attacks.
Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for over two years. Due to a lack of weapons and ammunition, the country has found itself on the defensive. The expansion of the defence lines is intended to stop the advance of the occupying troops or at least make it more difficult.
