Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy awards Ukrainian service members during his visit at a frontline amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, February 4, 2024. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS
KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Ukrainian troops on the southeastern front and handed out medals, his office said on Sunday, and his spokesperson said he came very close to exchanges of fire on the front line.
Zelensky undertook the journey to the Zaporizhzhia region amid speculation that his popular army chief could soon be sacked.
The president, who has frequently toured areas close to the front, met soldiers in the village of Robotyne, his office said, almost on the battle line.
“This is Robotyne and there is intense fighting going on, “Serhiy Nikiforov, the president’s spokesman, told reporters. “So it was quite close to explosions, but I wouldn’t dramatize the situation.”
Ukrainian soldiers quoted on social media said the area Zelensky visited carried risks because of intense drone and artillery activity.
READ: Russia pounds Ukraine’s two biggest cities in new wave of attacks
Zelensky said in a statement that he had come to the area to support and bestow honors on Ukrainian soldiers.
“They face a difficult and critical mission to repel the enemy and defend Ukraine,” he said.
The southeastern settlement of Robotyne was liberated in late August last year in the counteroffensive launched against Russian forces. In overall terms, the counteroffensive has had only limited success in recapturing territory against heavily dug enemy troops.
The visit to the battle lines occurred during uncertainty over the fate of army chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.
READ: Ukraine’s Zelensky: More changes coming to fight graft in government
Two sources said on Friday that the Ukrainian government had informed the White House that it plans to fire the country’s top military commander overseeing the war against Russian occupation forces.
The alleged move to oust Zaluzhnyi, who has clashed with Zelensky over a range of issues, follows the uncertain results of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Known as “the Iron General,” Zaluzhnyi is extremely popular. His removal could hurt morale among Ukrainian troops battling to hold positions along more than 600 miles (1,000 km) of frontlines against a vast Russian force armed with large munitions stockpiles.