Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a visit to the Donbas that Russia is preparing a new offensive in the Donetsk region this spring. The president visited Ukrainian front-line units and awarded soldiers defending the region.
Zelenskyy made the statement in a message recorded during his trip to the Donetsk region.
“Today — Donetsk region, our land, our warriors. The 28th Brigade, the 100th, the 24th separate mechanized brigades, the 36th Marine Brigade. I want to thank all of you — everyone defending our state,” the president said.
According to him, Russian forces have not abandoned the war and are preparing a new offensive in Donetsk region this spring. Zelenskyy stressed that it is important to strengthen Ukrainian positions and ensure brigades are adequately supplied.
During the visit, Zelenskyy and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi visited the main command post of the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is defending Kostiantynivka from the directions of Pleshchiivka and Ivanopillia.
Brigade commander Colonel Ruslan Tkachuk briefed the president on the operational situation in the brigade’s area of responsibility. Zelenskyy thanked the soldiers for their service and presented state awards to those who distinguished themselves in combat, including the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, “For Courage,” and the medal “For Saved Life.”
The president also discussed additional funding for drone purchases with battalion commanders, as well as the electronic scoring system, the use of artillery in drone warfare conditions, and the brigade’s operational needs.
Zelenskyy also visited the command post of the 3rd Battalion of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign and heard a report from brigade commander Colonel Anatolii Kulykivskyi on the situation near Kostiantynivka.
According to the commander, Russian forces aim to capture the city by the end of April and have been attempting to infiltrate Kostiantynivka in small groups to demonstrate their presence.
The discussions also covered logistical support to the city using combined methods, including aerial and ground transport drones, as well as issues related to troop staffing and providing additional drones and pickup trucks.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine’s resilience on the eastern front has both military and geopolitical significance.
“The stronger we are in the east, the stronger we are in negotiations. It is very important that Ukraine’s resilience here remains strong. Thank you for that,” he said.