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Russia intensifies Donbas shelling as Zelensky visits Kharkiv front line
Russian attacks and shelling concentrated on Donbas over the weekend, killing at least three civilians and wounding two, officials said, adding that Moscow has made capturing the strategic city of Sievierodonetsk its top priority in the besieged region.
Ukraine’s military said that incessant shelling kept the Ukrainian forces in the region on the defensive on Sunday (May 29) and destroyed or damaged more than 60 buildings, including a power station and a community centre.
On Sunday (May 29), president Volodymyr Zelensky made his first trip outside Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion. He visited Ukrainian troops on the frontlines in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
After the visit, he described the destruction in Kharkiv, the country's second largest city, as a symbol of Russia's war and its own losses in the conflict.
This address of mine is dedicated to four cities of Ukraine: Kharkiv, Kyiv, Severodonetsk and Kryvyi Rih. And through them - to our whole state, to all our cities and communities.
Posted by Володимир Зеленський on Sunday, May 29, 2022
Zelensky said in a video message on Sunday (May 29): "Black, burnt-out, half-ruined apartment buildings face east and north with their windows - from where Russian artillery was firing."
He said that Russia can look into these houses like into a mirror, adding that "See how much it lost during these 95 days of full-scale war against Ukraine."
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The president said that Russia has lost not only the battle for Kharkiv, but also for the capital Kiev and the north of Ukraine.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that shortly after the visit became public, Kharkiv came under shelling from Russian troops. Part of the city was hit, Terekhov said, according to Ukrainian media.
Zelensky also accused Russia of extensive destruction of the major city of Severodonetsk in the Donbass region.
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He added: "90% of houses are damaged. More than two--thirds of the city's housing stock has been completely destroyed. Constant attacks are being launched on the city."
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