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Medals for service at the front: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy surprisingly visited soldiers in the eastern city of Bakhmut on Tuesday and decorated them.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine: "I am very grateful to you for your strength and motivation. We understand that the situation at the front can be different. But here there are people who carry the country on their shoulders."
There had been fierce fighting in Bachmut in recent weeks, as can be seen, for example, in these drone images verified by the Reuters agency using satellite images.
Russian forces, including mercenaries from the private Wagner group, have intensified their bombardment of the city in recent days.
Zelenskyi held a minute's silence for the fallen while explosions could be heard in the distance.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine: "It's not about Donbas. Here in Donbas they are defending all of Ukraine. Because after Donbas they could do the same in other Ukrainian cities. They want to wipe out everything related to Ukraine. I'm 100 percent sure of that. That's why you shoulder the defense of all of Ukraine, not just the defense of Donbas."
The fighting for Bachmut continues.
Russia may try to push into larger Ukrainian cities by taking control of Bakhmut.
According to the region's governor, fewer than 12,000 people live in the city, which had more than 80,000 before the war.