Ukrainian president visits troops in Donetsk region

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday visited a front-line area near the cities of Vuhledar and Marinka in the Donetsk region, following his trip to Japan where he participated in the latest G-7 summit.

A statement by the Ukrainian presidency said Zelenskyy presented awards to dozens of marines on the national Day of the Ukrainian Marines.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainian marines are “a brotherhood of strong and resilient fighters loyal to their beliefs and vocation, who always demonstrate speed, determination and results,” the statement said.

"Every day on the battlefield, the Ukrainian Marines prove that they are a powerful force that destroys the enemy, liberates Ukrainian lands, and performs the most difficult tasks in the most difficult conditions. And we need more of this force. That is why from today we are significantly increasing the potential of the Marines and creating the Marine Corps," he said.

Zelenskyy said new brigades will be formed and provided with modern equipment and weapons, according to the statement.