Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited wounded soldiers at a military hospital in Kyiv on Sunday, where he handed out medals for bravery and made a speech to boost morale.
MailOnline reports that the leader awarded 106 servicemen the title "Heroes of Ukraine", with 17 awards given posthumously to soldiers who had passed away.
According to an English translation of a tweet posted by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Zelensky told the injured men: "Guys, get well soon. I believe that the best gift for your statement will be our common victory!"
In a clip of the visit from NBC News, Zelensky can be seen in army kit handing out medals, taking selfies, and talking with the recovering soldiers.
Among those he met with was Senior Lieutenant Hutsul Volodymyr Olesksandrovych, who was awarded a Hero of Ukraine for his actions in the Kherson region, where he reportedly destroyed 25 units of enemy equipment and about "300 invaders".
Meanwhile, Zelensky made an address to his people on Saturday night in which he warned against the formation of a 'pseudo-republic' in the south of Ukraine, MailOnline reports.
He accused Russia of trying to break his country apart by coercing local officials to form a break-away region. Protection of pro-Russian separatist regions was one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's main pretexts for launching a militiary invasion of Ukraine last month.
"The Russian invaders cannot conquer us. They do not have such strength, such spirit. They are holding only on violence, only on terror," Zelensky said during his nightly address, per a translation by The Guardian.
"The invaders in the Kherson region are trying to repeat the notorious experience of the formation of pseudo-republics. Blackmail local leaders, put pressure on deputies, look for someone to bribe [...] to organize some 'committees' against the legitimate government on our land and against the will of the people who go out to protest every day and who want Ukraine," he continued.
The leader concluded by saying: "Ukraine will stand this test. We need time and strength to break the war machine that has come to our land."
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