Russia-Ukraine War: Kherson Residents Celebrate After Russian Soldiers Withdraw from Region

Residents from the liberated Ukrainian city of Kherson were seen celebrating after Russian military troops withdrew from the region amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Furthermore, the Ukrainian defense ministry said on Friday that its troops were already taking back the city after Moscow had occupied it since March. The loss of the territory is a major blow to Russia's war due to the crucial city's proximity to Crimea.

Liberation of Kherson

In an earlier statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Russia's withdrawal from the city of Kherson an "important victory" for Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers who visited the city were also met with cheers from Kherson residents.

Despite Russia claiming that the withdrawal carried out on Friday was done smoothly, there were several reports that there were chaotic scenes with Russian troops abandoning both their uniforms and weapons while being told to make their own way to territories that are still under Moscow's control, as per France24.

In a statement, French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed Kherson's return to Ukraine after the latter's troops reclaimed the important territory in the southern parts of the country. In a tweet, Macron added that "France will stand beside the Ukrainian people."

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that special units of the armed forces were already in the city of Kherson after Russia's withdrawal. The official described the moment of liberation as historic.

According to the New York Times, the situation puts Kyiv on the cusp of achieving one of its most significant victories amid the war. Furthermore, it deals a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin who, only a month ago, declared the Kherson region as part of Russia permanently.

Jubilant Residents

Ukrainian government officials shared video footage on social media platforms that showed scenes of civilians celebrating their liberation from Russian troops. The people of the city had endured nine months of occupation and cheered the arrival of their protectors.

Other videos also showed cars driving in the city center, beeping horns as people on the sidewalks shouted, "Glory to Ukraine!" In one footage, Ukrainian military troops slowly drove past a crowd of people as residents reached out to touch the soldiers through the open windows.

A few hours after the jubilant celebrations, Russian authorities issued a statement saying that the withdrawal from the city across the Dnipro River was complete. However, residents reported that there were still some Russian troops left in the city, some of whom were wearing civilian clothes.

Later, the Ukrainian military warned that Russia was preparing to strike the city of Kherson from new positions across the river. Residents said that a major bridge connecting the city to the eastern bank was destroyed in a massive explosion early Friday. This severed the main transit route for Russian supplies coming in from Crimea and for Russians seeking to leave Kherson.

Prior to Russia's withdrawal, Ukraine's military began an assiduous, pinpoint business of cutting Moscow forces on the "right" (western) bank of the Dnipro River off from their supply lines to the south and the east, starting from July, BBC reported.

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Russia, Ukraine