Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Zelenskiy Visits Troops Near Zaporizhzhia as Russian Pressure Mounts
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, went to visit his soldiers who are fighting near a very important part of the country called Zaporizhzhia.
The president said that the fighting there is getting really tough because Russian soldiers are pushing forward more and more.
He met with the soldiers in a bunker to talk about how to make their defenses stronger.
He also brought flowers to remember soldiers who died.
Ukraine has been having trouble with not having enough soldiers, which has helped Russia gain some ground.
Besides the fighting, Ukraine also said they used drones, like flying robots, to attack Russian oil facilities to try and make it harder for Russia to get money.
The president's visit comes at a time when the Ukrainian government is also dealing with a big problem about corruption.
President Zelenskiy visited troops on Ukraine's southeastern front near Zaporizhzhia, acknowledging the challenging situation and need to strengthen defenses.
Russian forces are increasing pressure and making gradual advances in the Zaporizhzhia region and other areas, exacerbating Ukraine's manpower shortages.
The situation near Orikhiv is described as one of the most difficult, with potential threats to the city of Zaporizhzhia and the risk of isolating Ukrainian units.
Ukraine reported overnight drone strikes targeting Russian oil infrastructure in occupied Crimea and Zaporizhzhia, using weapons including a new cruise missile.
The visit occurs amidst a significant corruption scandal affecting Zelenskiy's government and a broader context of intense battles and limited breakthroughs on the front.
- Who
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Ukrainian troops, Russian forces
- What
- President Zelenskiy visited troops near the southeastern front, particularly in the increasingly difficult Zaporizhzhia region, amidst mounting Russian pressure and territorial advances. Ukraine is working to strengthen defenses and reported drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
- When
- Thursday (Presidential visit); Since late 2023 (Russian offensive); Overnight (Ukrainian strikes)
- Where
- Zaporizhzhia region, southeastern front of Ukraine, near the village of Orikhiv; Eastern Ukraine (Pokrovsk); Northeastern Ukraine (Kupiansk); Occupied Crimea and Zaporizhzhia region (oil infrastructure)
- Why
- To assess and strengthen Ukrainian defenses against increasing Russian pressure, address manpower shortages, and boost troop morale amid a difficult frontline situation. Ukraine also aims to disrupt Russian revenue streams through attacks on oil infrastructure.
Ukraine's Perspective
Russia's Actions and Impact
Frontline Situation and Defense
Ukraine's Perspective
President Zelenskiy visited troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, acknowledging it as a critical area needing strong defense due to increasing Russian pressure and acknowledging that the situation has significantly worsened in parts of the region. Ukraine is focused on strengthening defenses, staffing, and equipment. Ukraine also reports hitting Russian oil infrastructure with drones, including a new Flamingo missile.
Russia's Actions and Impact
Russian forces have been on the offensive since late 2023, gradually advancing and increasing pressure, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, Huliapole, and Velyka Novosilka. They are probing for weak points and using foggy weather to bypass Ukrainian positions. These advances are tactically significant due to Ukraine's manpower shortages and could threaten Huliapole and potentially isolate Ukrainian units in the south.
Strategic Goals and Advances
Ukraine's Perspective
Ukraine emphasizes defending the city of Zaporizhzhia and thwarting Russian forces in the Orikhiv area, identified as one of the most difficult sectors. They aim to counter Russian advances and are using drones to target Russian oil infrastructure to diminish revenue.
Russia's Actions and Impact
Russian forces are making tactically significant advances, particularly around Huliapole and Velyka Novosilka, and are closing in on Pokrovsk in the east and bearing down on Kupiansk to the northeast. The push west of Velyka Novosilka could potentially threaten Huliapole and risk isolating Ukrainian units.
- Date of Visit
- Thursday
- Location of Visit
- Near the southeastern front, Zaporizhzhia region, near the village of Orikhiv
- Key Areas of Concern
- Zaporizhzhia front, Orikhiv area, Huliapole, Velyka Novosilka
- Russian Advances
- Gradual advances since late 2023, control 19% of Ukraine, increasing pressure in the southeast, closing in on Pokrovsk and Kupiansk
- Ukrainian Military Actions
- Strengthening defenses, discussing staffing and equipment, hitting Russian oil infrastructure with drones, using Flamingo missile
- Context
- Worsening frontline situation, manpower shortages in Ukraine, corruption scandal impacting Ukrainian government