President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zekensky on Wednesday visited a forward military position near the besieged city of Bakhmut, his office said, The Guardian reports.

During the visit, Zelenskyi was informed “about the operational situation and the progress of hostilities on the front line,” the source said.

The Kyiv leader also met with Ukrainian soldiers and honored the fallen soldiers with a moment of silence.

“It is a great honor for me to be here today, in the east of our country, in the Donbas, and to reward our heroes, thank you, shake your hand. Thank you for protecting the state, sovereignty, and east of Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a statement.

Yulia Mendel, Zelenskyi’s former spokeswoman, published a video in which, according to her, Zelenskyi is depicted next to Bakhmut:

A pro-Russian official also said on Wednesday that Russian artillery controls all approaches to the city of Bakhmut, which will be virtually blocked.

“The city is in a state of operational encirclement, that is, all access roads, all transport highways leading to the city are under the control of our artillery,” said Yan, an adviser to the interim pro-Russian leader of Donetsk. Gagin for Russian state television.

According to him, Russian troops will control approximately 70% of Bakhmut, and a Ukrainian garrison of about 10,000 troops will remain in the city.

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