During a working trip to Kharkiv region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to the 15th mobile border guard detachment of the brigade type "Steel Border" of the State Border Guard Service, as well as the 113th and 125th separate brigades of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which perform tasks as part of “Kharkiv” operational grouping of troops.
The 15th mobile border guard detachment "Steel Border" performed combat missions in the areas of "Bakhmut" tactical group and "Soledar" operational-tactical grouping. The brigade consists of servicemen who were the first to face the enemy at the border, participated in the battles for Azovstal, were on the defense line in the Lyman and Bakhmut directions and defended the state borders from the Russian aggressor.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the 113th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces has been defending Ukraine as part of “Kharkiv” operational grouping of troops. It defended the city of Kharkiv from the invaders. During the counteroffensive in September 2022, the brigade's battalions participated in the de-occupation of more than 60 settlements, including the liberation of Vasylenkove and Artemivka in Kharkiv region. After the counteroffensive, the warriors performed tasks on the border of Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The brigade received a battle flag for participation in combat operations.
The 125th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces performed combat missions to defend Donetsk, Kharkiv and Sumy regions. The brigade's battalions, together with other units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, liberated Ozerne, Dibrova, Torske and Yampil in Donetsk region. The servicemen took part in battles near Bakhmut.
The Head of State discussed the operational situation on the frontline and the priority needs of the units with the brigade and battalion commanders.
In Kharkiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on the security situation in the Kupyansk-Lyman area, where the enemy has launched active offensive operations.
The President listened to the report by commander of "Khortytsia" operational-strategic grouping of troops Oleksandr Syrskyi on the defense of Kharkiv region and offensive actions in Bakhmut and other areas. The supply of weapons, ammunition and reserves to the troops was also addressed. The parties discussed the effectiveness of the use of UAVs by Ukrainian defenders and the fight against enemy drones.
In addition, the Head of State heard reports from local heads of the Security Service of Ukraine on counterintelligence and countersubversion activities in the region, as well as from the National Police on the evacuation of people from dangerous areas and liquidation of the consequences of enemy shelling.
The President presented state awards to servicemen who distinguished themselves during the defense of Kharkiv region.
"I want to thank you for defending our borders, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and most importantly, our Ukrainian families and our state every day. I wish you health, inspiration and victory. I wish your families and friends, your children to be healthy and strong," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
