Russian Defence Minister pays rare visit to troops in Ukraine

Russia's top military chiefs have visited the front line in Ukraine only sparingly since Russia invaded the country in what it calls a "special military operation" a year ago.

A still image from video, released by Russia’s Defence Ministry, shows Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during what it said to be inspection of a forward command post of Russian armed forces deployed in Ukraine, at an unknown location in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in this image taken from handout footage released March 4, 2023. Photo; Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu paid a rare to Russia's forces deployed in Ukraine, the country's Defence Ministry said on Saturday.

In a statement published on Telegram, the Ministry said: "The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, inspected the forward command post of one of the formations of the Eastern Military District in the South Donetsk direction".

In video published by the Ministry, Mr, Shoigu is seen awarding medals to Russian military personnel and touring a ruined town with the Eastern Military District's commander, Colonel-General Rustam Muradov.

Russia's top military chiefs have visited the front line in Ukraine only sparingly since Russia invaded the country in what it calls a "special military operation" a year ago.

Mr. Shoigu, who has served as Defence Minister since 2012, has come under harsh criticism of his performance during the war from pro-war advocates, with Wagner Group mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin last month accusing him and others of "treason".