President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who on Thursday continued his visits to the regions through which the front line passes, held meetings with a number of military commanders, including some whose names have been circulated for possible release, and called them the task of building fortifications as a priority , given that as winter approaches, Russia has stepped up its attacks, especially in the east of the country, News.ro reports.

“We had two important meetings in Zaporizhzhia. The first is with the military, with generals Tarnavskyi, Moskalev, Lytvynov and all those responsible for the defense here in Zaporizhzhia. The second meeting was effectively a national meeting on fortification. We discussed all the main areas in which we need to strengthen and speed up the construction of facilities,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said to Ukrainians in an address addressed on Thursday evening.

He stated that the priority for fortifications are the areas most vulnerable to the Russian offensive. “First of all, these are Avdiivka, Maryinka and other districts of Donetsk region, which will be given maximum attention. The Kharkiv region includes the Kupian direction and the Kupian-Lyman line of defense. And entire regions of Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Rivne, and Volyn. And also the south – the Kherson region,” Zelenskyy clarified.

The president noted that the regional government and all specialized military leaders submitted reports, in particular, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and his deputy, General Oleksandr Pavlyuk. “We discussed the attraction of resources, the motivation of private business for this activity and financing,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the fortifications. “The priority is obvious. I am grateful to everyone who works on such construction, on the production of materials,” the president said.

Zelenskyi signaled that Ukraine expects an increase in the Russian offensive, demanding that, in addition to fortifications, new bomb shelters be built, especially in schools.

“We also discussed the needs that we will address together with our partners to strengthen our defense lines. Special attention is paid to the construction of shelters in schools, especially here in Zaporizhzhia and in the region, so that children can study at least in a mixed format,” Zelensky said in his video speech on Thursday evening. He noted that he was in Kharkiv and could see how the classrooms built in the subway work.

The President also reported that he was in Kupyansk in the morning, where he had a meeting with General Sirsky and the command that is fighting in the Kupyansk direction. “I awarded the five officers present and asked to separately award private, sergeant and junior officers. Thank you, soldiers, for your resistance and your daily work!” said Zelensky, as Russian troops have been advancing in this direction for several months, but without noticeable success.

Zelensky also informed his compatriots that he voted by phone with German Chancellor Scholz, British Prime Minister Sunak and Bulgarian Prime Minister Denkov. “I have to thank our partners for many things: our agreements – Ukraine and Germany, Ukraine and Great Britain, Ukraine and Bulgaria – are all being fulfilled. We have also planned new joint activities. Protection of our people. Protecting our Europe. Protection of the international legal order. I thank everyone in the world who helps Ukraine!” – concluded the Kyivan. (News.ro)