Zelensky calls Donbass battle 'painful and difficult'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that his army is fighting a "painful and difficult" battle against Russian forces in the Donbass region (east), where the city of Bakhmut is located, where fierce battles are taking place.

"I would like to pay special tribute to the courage, strength and tenacity of the soldiers fighting in the Donbass," Zelenskiy said in his daily speech, adding that "it is one of the most difficult battles. painful and difficult."

Russian forces are continuing their efforts to encircle the city of Pakhmot, a symbol and center of the war in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian army said Sunday, while stressing that it had repelled new attacks.
The battle over the industrial city of Pakhmut has been going on since the summer, and the city has become a symbol because it is at the heart of the fighting between Russians and Ukrainians.

Zelenskiy on Sunday thanked his troops, saying: "I thank the army, guards and border guards who are defending our state in the vicinity of Bakhmut, Voglidar, Avdivska, Seversk, Svatov, Liam and Zaporizhia."