Ukraine desperately fighting as Zelensky calls convicts to the bloody frontline

In recent days, Ukraine has admitted that the situation is tough for its troops in the region after Russia took control of more villages and towns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia’s offensive in the north-eastern Kharkiv region may only be the “first wave” of attacks.

He added: “We have to be sober and understand that they are going deeper into our territory. Not vice versa.”

Zelensky maintained that the situation is “controlled” but “not stabilised.”

However, in some areas, it has been reported that Ukraine has been able to halt Russian forces from moving further forward.

While visiting China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that taking Kharkiv is not the objective of the offensive, but rather to create a “security zone.”

Zelensky has called on China to be present at any peace talks in the future as the Ukrainian leader hopes Beijing can talk Putin into agreeing to an end to the war.

Zelensky said China is needed because “they have influence on Russia, and the more such countries we have on our side… the more Russia will have to move and [more countries] to reckon with.”

On a ceasefire, Zelensky added: “Even if we imagine that there is some kind of Olympic truce for two weeks and everyone is standing still, tell me, I told Emmanuel [Macron], who can guarantee that Russia will not use this time to bring its forces to our territory.

“There is a risk that while we are not fighting them back and not stopping them with artillery fire, even (in the areas) where they are advancing, there is a risk of them bringing more heavy military equipment to our territory.”