Near Bakhmut (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Ukraine special forces positions near the hotspot of Bakhmut as Kyiv ramps up its counter-offensive. “We know the situation is not easy, but you are powerful people and I wish you strength, health and victory”, he says. Ukraine last month began its highly anticipated fightback after stockpiling Western weapons and building up its offensive forces. Kyiv has however admitted to fighting difficult battles and called on the United States and other allies to provide long-range weapons and artillery.