Selensky visits the Donetsk frontline region in eastern Ukraine
Gnatov is a young man, but "his knowledge about the frontline and his experience are exactly what we need," added Zelenskyy. He appointed Gnatov after his predecessor Yuriy Sodol was accused of incompetence, which allegedly led to the deaths of soldiers and setbacks at the front.
Zelenskyy also spoke about aid for the affected communities in the region, which has borne the brunt of the fighting in the last few months. He also made a side remark about government officials. They should be in the areas near the front, Zelenskyy said - "where people need immediate solutions."
"I was surprised that some responsible government officials have not been here for six months or more," he said. "I will draw conclusions about them."
In the Pokrovsk area, the Russian army is reportedly attacking Ukrainian forces particularly intensively, according to Ukrainian reports. Russia declared the Ukrainian region of Donetsk, along with three other partially occupied regions, to be annexed at the end of 2022. The industrial region of Donetsk has been partially controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists since 2014.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy is expected to attend the EU summit in Brussels. According to reports from Paris, the head of state will be present at the beginning of the meeting of heads of state and government. According to EU diplomats, an agreement on security guarantees for Kiev is expected to be signed, which the EU member states have agreed on in advance.
- Gnatov was appointed by Volodymyr Selenskyy to command the frontline in the Eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Pokrovsk area, where the Russian army has been reportedly attacking Ukrainian forces intensively.
- Currently residing in the Front region, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for immediate solutions in the communities that have suffered from the recent fighting, with the Donetsk region bearing a significant brunt.
- In response to the deaths of soldiers and setbacks at the front, Zelenskyy criticized his predecessor, Yuriy Sodol, for alleged incompetence, and promised to draw conclusions about government officials who have been absent from the areas near the front for extended periods.
- At the upcoming EU summit in Brussels, Zelenskyy is expected to sign an agreement on security guarantees for Kiev, aimed at supporting Ukraine against the continuous conflict in the Donetsk region, which Russia officially annexed at the end of 2022.
