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Zelenskyy visits Kharkiv amid Russian offensive

by VOA News

   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he traveled Thursday to
   the northeastern city of Kharkiv to meet with military officials amid a
   Russian offensive in the region.

   Zelenskyy said on Telegram that the situation in Kharkiv is extremely
   difficult, but generally under control.

   Russia has claimed several villages in Kharkiv in recent days, and the
   Russian advances prompted Zelenskyy to cancel several planned foreign
   visits.

   Ukraine's military said Thursday that while the situation in Kharkiv
   remains complicated, Ukrainian forces had stabilized the situation and
   halted Russia's advance in certain areas.

   The developments follow a two-day visit to Ukraine by U.S. Secretary of
   State Antony Blinken, during which Zelenskyy asked for air defense
   systems to help protect Kharkiv.

   Blinken announced $2 billion in military aid for Ukraine as part of a
   $61 billion package that was approved last month.

   Russia's defense ministry said Thursday its air defenses destroyed five
   tactical missiles and multiple drones over Russia-occupied Crimea, as
   well as drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga and Tula regions.

   Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence
   France-Presse and Reuters.

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