Fight for Bahmut continues: Ukrainian Armed Forces say Russia 'is far' from occupying the town
Ukraine has repelled 69 Russian attacks in the past 24 hours as the enemy concentrates its forces towards Liman, Bahmut and Avdiivka. However, the leadership of the Eastern Troop Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said the invaders "are far away" from occupying Bahmut.
Russian drones hit the Ukrainian port of Odessa, causing major damage, local authorities said in a statement on social media. Ukraine's air defence forces are taking action and warning of the possibility of a second wave of attacks.
At the same time, President Volodimir Zelenski visited several Ukrainian towns, where he told crowds that Moscow will not be able to hide behind a seat on the UN Security Council and gas pipelines. The Kiev leader held another meeting with the Chiefs of Staff, with whom he discussed the main security problems on the frontline, in the northern regions and on the border. He recalled that Russian soldiers had set up a command post in a school in the village of Yahidne and took all the villagers to the basement of the school to use them as human shields.
"From 3 March to 30 March last year, the occupiers held more than three hundred people in the basement of this school. An ordinary school with a small basement. Old people and children, women and men. The oldest woman was 93 years old, the youngest child - less than six months. We will never forgive this evil state for what it did in Yahidne, for the concentration camp there, as well as all the other crimes of Russia against people and humanity. And not only us. The Kremlin will not be able to hide behind the UN Security Council, behind the gas pipelines. Surely, there will be legal and fair accountability for every Russian crime committed on Ukrainian soil - in court, in the International Criminal Court, in Ukrainian courts," said Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski.
Volodimir Zelenski awarded the city of Chernigov the title of "hero city" and visited a local hospital where Ukrainian soldiers are being treated. He thanked the fighters for all they do for Ukraine.
