Cheers and tears as Kherson freed
GLEEFUL WELCOME FOR LIBERATING SOLDIERS
JUBILANT locals welcomed soldiers and burst into tears as the Ukrainian flag was flown over Kherson again after Russian troops fled.
The retreating invaders blew up the main bridge out of the city before leaving.
And there are fears that they will have laid deadly booby traps around the region.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed they suffered “no losses” in the early morning withdrawal seen as a major defeat for Vladimir Putin.
It was the only regional capital captured by his army since the invasion began and is in a region he declared just a few weeks ago was now part of Russia “forever”.
Last night Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defence ministry, said his country was “almost in full control” of Kherson with only a few Russian soldiers left.
He said: “The Russians are taking off their military uniforms, throwing them in bins and trying to blend in with the locals. We urge them to surrender, save their life and don’t be foolish.”
The liberation of Kherson means a Russian assault on port city Odesa is now very unlikely and Ukraine may be able to plan a bid to retake Crimea.