Zelensky did not rule out the loss of control over Kharkiv without Patriot air defense systems
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky interrupted his plans to visit Kharkiv and hold a meeting of the stavka there. According to him, the situation in the Kharkiv region is "generally controlled," but extremely difficult. Therefore, the Ukrainian president again asked Western countries to supply Kiev with Patriot air defense systems. In his opinion, without them, Ukraine risks losing Kharkiv.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky canceled a planned trip to Spain and arrived in Kharkiv. Now Ukraine's second largest city is in danger due to the offensive of the Russian army, ABC News channel reported.
Zelensky, along with journalists, visited the hospital where wounded servicemen are being treated. The Ukrainian leader talked with the soldiers and presented them with medals for valor. Zelensky could not stay in the hospital because it is dangerous to stay in the city for a long time. According to ABC News reporters, the president moved quickly through the chambers to comply with security measures.
The Ukrainian president said that over the past few days hundreds of Ukrainians have been killed or injured, and many of them were born in this part of the country.
"The whole world is to blame," Zelensky replied when asked if he blamed the delay in U.S. aid for the incident. The President added that the world can also help Ukraine stop the Russian offensive.
An ABC News journalist reported that he "felt disappointed" Zelensky when he talked about the visit of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The Ukrainian president noted that dialogue is "good," but Ukraine needs help now.
He also noted that the allocated funds were not transferred directly to Ukraine, but spent on American factories and on creating American jobs.
"We are fighting not only for our freedom. If it were not for Ukraine, it would be a different country," Zelensky said, answering a question about Americans' dissatisfaction with the allocation of large sums to support Kiev.
The meeting of the stavka in Kharkov
The President came to Kharkiv not only to present medals to the wounded military, but also for a meeting of the headquarters, at which he heard reports from the military leadership. Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky and his subordinates informed the Ukrainian president about the situation in the region, in particular in the districts of Volchansk and Lipetsk.
"We have analyzed in detail the prospects of the combat situation, the threats over the coming days and weeks, and our capabilities to counteract Russian offensive plans. As of today, the situation in the Kharkiv region is generally controlled, our soldiers inflict significant losses on the occupier. But the direction remains extremely difficult, we are strengthening our units," Zelensky wrote.
According to the Ukrainian leader, the military leadership has determined a plan for further actions in the region.
Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Zelensky's trip to Kharkiv could be regarded as a farewell visit, RIA Novosti reported.
In early May, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began advancing in the Kharkiv region. The Russian army has already taken control of the settlements of Gatyshche, Krasnoe, Morokhovets, Oleinikovo, Borisovka, Ogurtsovo, Pletenevka, Dusty and Strelech. Now there are battles for Volchansk. The head of the Kharkiv regional military administration Oleg Sinegubov in his Telegram channel reported that in one of the villages of the Volchansk territorial community, as a result of an artillery strike, the head of the local military administration Tamaz Gambarashvili was wounded.
The Telegram channel "Military Commanders of the Russian Spring" claims that during one of the battles near Volchansk, the Russian army gained an advantage. The Ukrainians requested the evacuation of the wounded and an order to withdraw, but the command refused the requests. According to the "Military Commanders of the Russian Spring", then the surviving servicemen surrendered to the fighters of the North group of forces.
Alyona Fomina
