Zelenskyy Visits Frontline, Hails Oleksandrivka Counteroffensive as Historic

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to the Oleksandrivka front on Monday, accompanied by Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, to thank Ukrainian forces for their progress in a key counteroffensive operation.

In remarks recorded in the Zaporizhzhia region, Zelenskyy described the operation as "one of our historic operations," noting that it has demonstrated Ukraine's ability to achieve its goals and inflict significant losses on Russian forces. He specifically thanked the Air Assault Forces for their results in the area, which he said covers difficult sections of the front in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

The president said the operation has been ongoing since last year and has already achieved a great deal. He added that every step pushing Russian forces back brings greater security for Ukrainian people and strengthens Ukraine's diplomatic position to end the war on dignified terms.

Zelenskyy also addressed ongoing diplomatic efforts, stating that work with the American side is ongoing and that Ukraine is in close, detailed contact with the United States. "We are doing everything we can to bring peace closer," he said, thanking all those helping to limit Russia's ability to prolong the conflict.

During the visit, Zelenskyy met with military personnel, discussed frontline developments, and presented awards. He expressed hope for completing the operation while preserving as many personnel as possible, and pledged that destroyed Ukrainian cities and villages would be rebuilt.