Ukraine President Zelensky shows himself with troops as Putin faces Wagner mutiny fallout

KYIV – President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said he visited front-line positions on Monday, projecting unity with his troops as Russia continued to grapple with the

fallout of a short-lived military mutiny.

In a series of photos, videos and messages posted on social media, Mr Zelensky was shown addressing soldiers and meeting with commanders. He said the photos and videos were taken in the country’s east, where Kyiv’s forces are waging a counter-offensive to recapture territory from Russian control.

“It is very important to be here today,” he wrote on Telegram, explaining his trip to the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

In separate messages, Mr Zelensky thanked soldiers for their defence of Ukraine, independence and freedom; called it an “honour to be with our heroes”; and posed for selfies with soldiers.

The statements came as the Kremlin sought to portray the Russian military as returning to normal after a weekend rebellion that

shook Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority,

with mutinous mercenaries from the Wagner private military company – which has aided Russia’s war in Ukraine –

getting to within 200km of Moscow.

With questions still swirling on Monday about the ramifications of the armed uprising, and as Mr Putin made his first public comments since the revolt was called off on Saturday to thank Russia’s military for fending off the rebellion, the Ukraine presidential office appeared keen on accentuating Mr Zelensky’s relationship with Ukrainian troops.

Mr Zelensky’s office posted a photo on Telegram during Mr Putin’s brief televised address, showing the Ukraine President standing at a table with a commander.

It is unclear what effect the turmoil in Russia will have on the Ukrainian counter-offensive. So far, the situation on the front line has not changed significantly, although it remains possible that Ukraine may try to

exploit any perceived Russian disarray.

Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian officials reported that Kyiv’s forces had recaptured the small village of Rivnopil in the country’s east, near a string of settlements they retook earlier this month.

“We are moving forward,” General Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander of Ukraine’s land forces, said in a post on Telegram. But Ukrainian officials said the fighting remained fierce and that Russia had increased its attacks in the east.

Mr Zelensky acknowledged that the eastern front was “very difficult and hot” on Monday, according to his office, which said that he had told soldiers that “everyone in the country who is not at the front is well aware that you are doing the most difficult job today”. NYTIMES