In Photos: De-Occupied Izyum Following Ukraine's Counteroffensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday visited Izyum, a key strategic city in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, which was recently recaptured by Kyiv's forces.
"Our blue-yellow flag is already flying in the de-occupied Izyum," Zelensky wrote of his visit in the official Telegram channel. "And it will be so in every Ukrainian city and village. We are moving in only one direction: forward and towards victory."
Reflecting the spirit of Zelensky's message, the pictures of the newly liberated city depict both a painful destruction and a glimmering hope.
"Our blue-yellow flag is already flying in the de-occupied Izyum," Zelensky wrote of his visit in the official Telegram channel. "And it will be so in every Ukrainian city and village. We are moving in only one direction: forward and towards victory."
Reflecting the spirit of Zelensky's message, the pictures of the newly liberated city depict both a painful destruction and a glimmering hope.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pictured during his visit to liberated Izyum.
president.gov.ua
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"You can temporarily occupy the territory of our state. But you definitely cannot occupy the Ukrainian people," the Ukrainian president wrote following his visit to de-occupied areas.
Juan Barreto / AFP
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Areas recently liberated by Ukraine are home to some 150,000 people, according to Ukrainian officials.
Juan Barreto / AFP
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An Izyum resident holds a Ukrainian flag.
Juan BARRETO / AFP
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“The view is very shocking, but it is not shocking for me,” Zelensky told journalists when asked about the scenes of devastation in the city.
Juan Barreto / AFP
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Here, a Ukrainian soldier is pictured inspecting a captured Russian tank on the outskirts of Izyum.
Juan Barreto / AFP
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Zelensky said atrocities that were potentially committed by Russia in Izyum could resemble those found in Bucha, Borodyanka and Irpin following Russia's retreat from around Kyiv this spring.
Juan Barreto / AFP
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Graffiti which reads "Russia" found by a door leading to abandoned munitions crates on the outskirts of Izyum.
Juan Barreto / AFP
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"I am thankful to...all our warriors for liberating the Ukrainian land from the enemy...
president.gov.ua
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...You save our people, our hearts, children and the future," Zelensky wrote on Telegram Wednesday.
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