Ukraine retaken this Friday, 11, the city of Kherson, one of the main ones that were under Russian rule and the only regional capital dominated by Moscow. It was President Vladimir Putin's worst military defeat since the invasion began on February 24. The reconquest was completed moments after Russia withdrew troops from almost the entire region, with the aim of regrouping on the left bank of the Dnieper River.
In extraordinary scenes posted on social media, a crowd of locals cheered as Ukrainian forces reached the center of Kherson. In a video that circulated on the internet, a young Ukrainian woman plays the violin as soldiers walk through the streets. Ukraine's President Volodmyr Zelensky said it was a "historic" day as he confirmed that special units were in the city. "Kherson is returning to Ukraine's control," he said.
Defeat Hours earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a note that said it had completed the withdrawal of 30,000 troops. "Today, at 5 am in Moscow, the transport of Russian troops to the left bank of the Dnieper River was completed." The loss of Kherson would be the third major Russian setback in the war, following the withdrawals from Kiev and Kharkiv. Kherson was the only provincial capital that Russia captured and was an important link in Russia's effort to control the southern coast along the Black Sea.
Regaining control from Kherson also reinforces the Ukrainian government's argument that it should continue military pressure while Russian forces are on the run, and not return to the negotiating table, as some Western governments have advocated - including the US.
"Ukraine wins another important victory and proves that no matter what Russia does, Ukraine will win," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba said on Twitter. In the same post, he shared a video of Ukrainian citizens tearing up a Russian advertising sign in the town of Bilozerka, near Kherson, that read: "Russia will be here forever."
Although it announced the end of the withdrawal, the Kremlin maintained a combative stance, insisting that the move did not pose any embarrassment to Putin. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, Moscow continues to see the entire Kherson region as part of the country.
"This is a Russian region. It has been legally annexed and defined. There can be no change here," Peskov declared, adding that the Kremlin did not regret having officially recognized the annexation of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzia six weeks ago.
Shortly before the Russian announcement, Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky's office described the situation in the province as "difficult". Russian bombings have been reported in some villages and towns that have been recovered in recent weeks.
Ukraine's Army General Staff said Russian forces also left a trail of looted houses, damaged power lines and mined roads. Serhii Khlan, a Ukrainian officer from Kherson, disputed the Russian military's claim that retreating troops took all their equipment, saying much was left behind.
Khlan, who spoke with journalists outside the city, said some Russian soldiers were also left behind dressed in civilian clothes, possibly to carry out acts of sabotage.
Surrender
Ukrainian intelligence yesterday posted a statement in Russian on social media urging the remaining Russian troops to surrender. The request came after reports emerged of a chaotic retreat, with wounded soldiers being abandoned or taken prisoner. A Russian soldier said some units were told to escape anyway. Ukrainian officers reported seeing Russian recruits drowning while trying to cross the Dnieper River.