Ukraine Pres Zelensky Visits Troops Defending Avdiivka Today. Putin, No So Much

At Avdiivka, Zelensky again risked visiting a front line position being defended by Ukrainian troops under constant attack. It is a testament to his courage - and his understanding of the sacrifices the soldiers in the trenches are making. 

Russian President Putin has not been seen visiting his troops at Avdiivka, even as they die by the thousands in senseless assaults ordered so he can have a talking point for his election. JL 

Tetyana Olynyk reports in Ukraine Pravda:

President Zelensky visited positions of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The commander of the brigade informed Zelenskyy on the defensive situation. Zelenskyy decorated soldiers with state awards and awarded Junior Sergeant Ihor Tymoshchuk with the Order of the Gold Star of the Hero of Ukraine. "We are grateful to every soldier, sailor, sergeant, every officer who endures this war,  defending our country. Boundless gratitude to every family of our heroes and everyone who helps so the guys at the front have everything they need."

On 29 December, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy published a video from Avdiivka, where he brought up the situation with defence lines and needs of the military units, and awarded the soldiers.  

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Details: The President visited the positions of the 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after Marko Bezruchko. The commander of the brigade informed Zelenskyy on the defensive situation and their basic needs. Zelenskyy also decorated some of the soldiers with state awards and awarded Junior Sergeant Ihor Tymoshchuk with the Order of the Gold Star of the Hero of Ukraine.  

Quote: "Here life is being fought for, we are grateful to all the soldiers, every soldier, sailor, sergeant, every officer who endures this war. Thank you, warriors! In Avdiivka, along with our team, we congratulated the soldiers on Christmas, on the New Year.

[I'm thankful for] everyone who is at the front line, defending our country. Boundless gratitude to all relatives, every family of our heroes and everyone who helps, who works, so that the guys at the front have everything they need."

Updated: The President’s Office clarified that Zelenskyy listened to the report of the brigade commander Mykolai Chumak on the operational situation on the front and the course of defensive actions. According to him, the Russian forces do not spare people, but Ukrainian defenders firmly hold positions and even capture Russian soldiers.

The President’s distinction of Cross of Military Merit was awarded to Senior Lieutenant Yevhen Baikov. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also awarded soldiers with the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of the Third Class and the Order For Courage of the Third Class.