EKO HOT BLOG reports that Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the recapture of the city of Kherson by Ukrainian forces as a “historic day” as troops were greeted by tearful crowds and celebrating residents. Moscow has claimed that its forces have left the city without losing a single fighter.
However, Ukrainian authorities said that they have seen Russian troops ditching their uniforms, dropping weapons, and drowning while trying to escape.
In his nightly address, Mr Zelensky said that the recapture of Kherson was part of an ongoing process of Ukrainian troops recapturing the southern part of their country.
He said: “Today is a historic day. We are regaining the south of our country, regaining Kherson.
“They never gave up on Ukraine. Hope for Ukraine is always justified – and Ukraine always regains its own.
“I am happy to see how people, despite all the threats, despite the repression and abuse of the occupiers, cherished the Ukrainian flags and believed in Ukraine.
“And even when the city is not yet completely cleansed of the enemy’s presence, the people of Kherson themselves are already removing Russian symbols and any traces of the occupiers’ stay in Kherson from the streets and buildings.
“It was the same in all other cities liberated by our defenders.
“It will be the same in those cities that are still waiting for our return. Ukraine will come to all its people.”
First Lady Olena Zelenska also tweeted a video showing tearful crowds welcoming Ukrainian troops into Kherson.
Many people in the crowds waved Ukrainian flags and shook hands with the soldiers.
Others chanted victory slogans in Kherson city’s central square, while two men lifted a female soldier onto their shoulders and tossed her into the air.
Kherson province is one of the regions Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed from Ukraine in late September.
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