Zelensky seeks to boost troop morale with visit to Kharkiv as soldiers battle Putin’s advancing forces

Askold Krushelnycky reports from Ukraine’s second city, where the country’s president met with generals. Residents say they will dig in if Putin’s forces get close to support the soldiers fighting on the front line

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky sought to boost the morale of his troops with a visit to the northeastern city of Kharkiv – with Russian forces making advances across the region.

Kyiv has rushed military units from other parts of the 600-mile front lines to shore up its forces in the area where the Russians launched their attack a week ago, exploiting weak fortifications and undergunned Ukrainian forces to make rapid advances which have sent thousands of refugees fleeing from their homes.

Vladimir Putin’s forces have made inroads of at least several kilometres into the north of Kharkiv region since Friday, with the city of Kharkiv itself only about 30 miles from the border with Russia.