Ukraine celebrates as Russia withdraws military forces from Kherson | USA TODAY #Shorts

Russia relinquished its final foothold in Kherson, allowing Ukrainian forces to move toward reclaiming the country's only Russian-occupied provincial capital.

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Russia's Defense Ministry said its troops finished withdrawing from the western bank of the river that divides Ukraine's Kherson region at 5 a.m. The area they left included the city of Kherson, the only provincial capital Russia had captured during its nearly 9-month invasion of Ukraine.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed local residents cheerfully taking to the streets and a Ukrainian flag flying over a monument in a central Kherson square for the first time since early March, when the city was seized by the Russians. Some footage showed crowds cheering on men in military uniform.

Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the city was back in Ukrainian hands. A spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence agency said "an operation to liberate Kherson" and the surrounding region of the same name was underway. "But it will be possible to talk about establishing Ukrainian control over the city only after an official report by the General Staff" of the Ukrainian army, Andriy Yusov told The Associated Press.

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29 comments

  1. There is a Russian proverb: “The one who laughs last laughs best.” Even Napoleon said that winning a battle is not the same as winning the war. Apparently none of you have read the history of the battles in World War II. No one served in the army or studied military tactics. I don’t understand why you are all happy? The Russian army has long been planning the withdrawal of troops to the left bank. It is very strange for the Ukrainian army to make a victory out of this.

    1. You are clearly Russian. And you don’t understand what’s going on. All you can do is sting, exude bile. Your nation can only destroy. This is your nation. You confirmed it with your comment.

  2. Some think it’s a set-up or a trap. World leaders are skeptical about Russia’s intent, and are advising citizens to not get too comfortable.
    I hope Russia isn’t plotting to use this to carry out the threats they’ve been making recently.

    1. What threats?
      Russia withdrew precisely because the Ukraine has been attempting to blow up the dam to flood the city. Ukrane is shelling nuclear power plant, yet the collective west is staying silent. Ukrainianian president literally talked about using dirty bomb, yes the empire of lies twistes the facts and said Putin said it…

    2. When a Russian general went of TV a couple weeks ago and advertised that they couldn’t hold the city and would soon be retreating I think everyone with a brain recognized it was a diversion, or a trap to force Zelensky into consolidating his forces and directing them to that specific city. Once he said it the western press predictably jumped on it and everyone immediately expected a quick victory from Zelensky, at that point he had no chance to give them what they wanted no matter the risk.

  3. They need to stop doing this and broadcasting it…The last time they did this Russia took out the power grid….

  4. I don’t think they left for any reason other than to preserve themselves from whatever they’re really about to do. They are not to be trusted. This is like the water retreating before a tsunami. Prayers for the protection of Ukraine!

  5. I think they are celebrating very early…
    I don’t think Russia will sit idly by, obviously something stronger is coming from the Russians.

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