Zelenskyy Visits Frontline Troops Defending Kostiantynivka in Donetsk

Ukrainian President's Visit to the Donetsk Region

According to Главком: On March 6, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a working trip to the Donetsk region, visiting the cities of Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. The head of state met with soldiers from the 28th and 100th Separate Mechanized Brigades, which are currently defending the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka, to discuss the operational situation on the front line. Zelenskyy also awarded the servicemen for their courage and bravery in wartime conditions.

The President was accompanied by the brigade commanders: Colonel Anatolii Kulikovskyi, who leads the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign, and Colonel Ruslan Tkachuk, commander of the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The meeting took place at the main command post of the 100th Brigade, where Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi was also present.

“In Druzhkivka, at the command post of the 3rd Battalion of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign, we spoke with our defenders about the defense of Kostiantynivka, enemy actions, and meeting the brigade's needs. We will work through all issues. I presented state awards to the soldiers.”

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President also emphasized the importance of defending the eastern axis, stating: “Thank you for protecting such an important direction for Ukraine, the eastern direction. You know that it is important not only from the point of view of defending our state on the battlefield, but also very important geopolitically. The stronger we are on the eastern axis, the stronger we are in the negotiation process.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the servicemen with awards, including the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi and For Courage, as well as the For a Saved Life medal. He expressed gratitude to the soldiers for their resilience in defending the state, noting: “I have the honor of awarding you. Today we are on this axis, and the whole world is now talking about Ukraine and about the east, about our Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It is very difficult to defend the state in this direction. I am grateful to you for holding so firmly. Keep holding on. We will help as much as we can.”

Discussion of Critical Issues

During the visit, issues related to ensuring logistics to Kostiantynivka were also discussed, specifically through combined methods using aerial and ground transport drones, as well as personnel staffing. It is reported that Russian occupiers plan to capture the city of Kostiantynivka by the end of April and have already received orders to enter the city in small groups. The enemy is preparing a spring offensive in the Donetsk region, underscoring the importance of active actions by Ukrainian forces in this area.

• Discussion of programs 18-24
• Provision of additional funds for drones and pickup trucks

The President's visit to Donetsk and his meeting with the military reflects the urgency of the situation on the front, particularly in the context of Russian forces preparing for a potential offensive. The awarding of the soldiers demonstrates recognition of their courage and the importance of their role in defending the region, which remains strategically vital for Ukraine. This also highlights the necessity of supporting and supplying the troops, as successes on the battlefield can influence the outcomes of negotiations at the international level.