Hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the withdrawal of troops from the city of Kherson, Ukrainian forces moved in to take back control of the strategically important southern city. 'Today is a historic day,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Kherson was the only provincial capital Russia had captured during its nearly nine-month invasion of Ukraine. Putin's retreat from the city is seen as one of the biggest setbacks of the war.
Soon after, videos circulating on social media showed jubilant residents taking to the streets to welcome the soldiers and fly the Ukrainian flag. The Ukrainians cheered and chanted slogans; some of them, teary-eyed, even hugged members of the troops. The first Ukrainian troops to arrive snapped selfies too with the crowd, reported Reuters, while sharing a video of the celebrations. "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes! Glory to the Nation!" one man shouted in another video verified by Reuters.
Incredible scenes of joy in liberated Kherson. Those people have been through hell. pic.twitter.com/niDMNC6IZo
— Guillaume Ptak (@guillaume_ptak) November 11, 2022
⚡️Ukrainian troops have entered Kherson.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) November 11, 2022
According to videos published online, Ukrainian soldiers are in downtown Kherson. People chant “glory to the Armed Forces!”
Kherson, the only Ukrainian regional capital occupied by Russia since Feb. 24, is now officially liberated. pic.twitter.com/rhdfnDI8Pv
Ukraine claimed that Russian forces also left looted homes, damaged power lines and mined roads in their wake. Zelenskyy said that measures to make Kherson safe, which includes efforts to remove 'a lot of mines', would start as soon as possible.
The loss of Kherson is seen as another humiliating defeat for Russia after the failed capture of Kyiv. The Kremlin, however, remained defiant, insisting the withdrawal in no way represented an embarrassment for Putin.
