Ukraine’s President visits Kharkov, sacks security chief

President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the Kharkov region, Ukraine on May 29 – Photo: REUTERS

A Reuters reporter in Kharkov noted a large plume of smoke rising from the northeast of the city. The cause of these explosions is unknown.

According to Reuters, Kharkov has been shelled by Russia in recent days after several weeks of relative calm.

On May 29, Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Ukrainian forces on the front lines in Kharkov. It was Zelensky’s first official appearance outside the Kiev region since Russia’s “special military operation” began.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presents an award to a female soldier in Kharkov, Ukraine, May 29 – Photo: REUTERS

“You risked your lives for everyone and for our country,” the website of Ukraine’s presidential office quoted Zelensky as telling soldiers.

Meanwhile, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, announced on Telegram that the president had visited the city of Kharkov, located in northeastern Ukraine.

An area under shelling on the outskirts of Kharkov, Ukraine – Photo: REUTERS

According to Mr. Yermak, Mr. Zelensky had visited residential areas hit by bombs and directed to add shelters in the upcoming rebuilding plan of these buildings.

Mr. Yermak said that 31% of the territory of the Kharkov region is now under Russian control, and Ukraine previously recaptured 5% of Kharkov from Russia.

In the “daily video bulletin” broadcast late on May 29, Zelensky announced that after the field trip, he had fired the security chief of the Kharkov region “for doing nothing to protect the city of Kharkov from the terrorists.” the first day (of war) and only thought of himself”.

President Volodymyr Zelensky visits a housing block under shelling in Kharkov, Ukraine on May 29 – Photo: REUTERS

President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the Kharkov region, Ukraine, on May 29 – Photo: REUTER

Russia announced the destruction of a large arsenal of weapons in central Ukraine

TTO – Russia claims to have destroyed a large Ukrainian weapons depot in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the central part of the country. Earlier, Ukraine said it had received heavy weapons from the West and was waiting for more “good news” next week.