During a working trip to Kharkiv region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to the 103rd separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 68th separate jaeger brigade, and the 25th separate airborne brigade "Sicheslav", which are performing combat missions in the Kupyansk-Lyman area.
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the 103rd separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces has been performing combat missions, in particular, as part of the "Lyman" operational-tactical grouping, and since June 2022, the brigade's units have been fighting for the freedom of Ukraine as part of the "Khortytsia" operational-strategic grouping of troops. Last year, during the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kharkiv region, the warriors of the 103rd brigade participated in the liberation of the village of Ozerne and returned the Ukrainian flag to Dibrova and Yampil in Donetsk region.
Since August 2022, the 68th separate jaeger brigade has been performing combat missions as part of the "Khortytsia" and "Tavria" operational-strategic groupings of troops. The brigade was involved in battles in the Vuhledar sector. This year, in June, its warriors liberated the village of Blahodatne, Donetsk region.
The servicemen of the 25th separate airborne brigade participated in the defense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity during the anti-terrorist operation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014-2019. In 2022, the brigade distinguished itself during the counteroffensive in the area of Balakliya, Kharkiv region. Its units took part in the liberation of Izyum and the occupied territories in Luhansk region. The 25th separate airborne brigade was awarded the Presidential Honorary Award "For Courage and Bravery" for special combat merits, courage, bravery and heroism shown during combat missions.
The Head of State listened to the report of the commander of the "Lyman" operational-tactical grouping Oleksandr Hruzevych on the operational situation in the area of responsibility. The Kupyansk-Lyman direction is one of the hottest on the frontline. The Russian occupiers are constantly trying to conduct offensive actions there.
The President listened to the reports of the brigade commanders on the operational situation on the battlefield, the course of offensive and defensive actions of their units.
During the conversation with the commanders, Volodymyr Zelenskyy received information about the priority needs of the units, among which the military most often mentioned frontline air defense and electronic warfare equipment, as well as certain types of ammunition. They also emphasized the need to simplify regulatory procedures and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles that impede manning.
The President also presented awards to the servicemen and combat medics who distinguished themselves while defending Ukraine.
"I am honored to be here today, to thank you and your brothers-in-arms for defending our country, for every day and night you sacrifice for all of us, without sparing yourself. This is a very important mission. I wish all of you nothing but victory, health, to come back alive, not to lose motivation, with which you so strongly defend the sovereignty of our state and the future of our generations," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The memory of the fallen warriors was honored with a moment of silence.
The Head of State also paid a visit to the tank unit of the 21st separate mechanized brigade, where he saw the equipment transferred to the Ukrainian army by Western partners, in particular Leopard 2 tanks and CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles used in battles in the Kupyansk sector.
The President spoke with the crews of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
