Volkswacht Bodensee - Top French diplomat visits Ukraine frontline region

With a small group of journalists including AFP, Barrot walked through the centre of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30 kilometres (18 miles) away.

"Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale," Barrot said standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, from where ruined offices and residential buildings could be seen.

His Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga thanked him for the visit, saying "our people need to understand that they are not alone."

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was home to 1.4 million people before the war and has long been known for literature, industry, and student life.

"War is waged not only with trucks and tanks, but also with intelligence," Barrot said, before heading to the Kharkiv literature museum.

He then visited a military position at an undisclosed location, where he was briefed on the front line situation in northeastern and eastern Ukraine.

The minister also spoke to servicemen and had lunch in the military canteen.

F.Stadler--VB