Russian troops withdraw, Ukrainian flag flying in Kherson

KIEV – Ukrainian flags fly over the city of Kherson as Kiev forces advance into the city after the retreat of Russian troops, blowing up the main bridge outside the city as they leave.

Photographs and videos showed yellow and blue flags waving outside the Kherson Civil Administration building as crowds gathered to greet the people of Kiev who had been photographed moving to the suburbs, greeted by cheering locals. Ukrainian troops advancing through surrounding towns said people cried when they saw them.

Ukrainian officials said most of the city was under the control of Kiev by 1pm local time. Even so, they urged civilians to stay in their homes while they exterminated the Russians left behind Daily mailFriday (11/11/2022).

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Ukrainian artillery pounded the city of Kherson and the nearby Dnipro River all night and early morning in hopes of destroying any last of the Russians trying to escape. There were rumors that thousands of soldiers might be trapped in the city, but as time passed the news seemed unfounded.

Fears that Russia might set some kind of trap were also unfounded, perhaps a disinformation campaign to delay Ukraine’s advance long enough for Moscow’s forces to get out.

The video shows Moscow troops crossing the Dnipro via a pontoon bridge at dawn, before an explosion flattens the Antonovskiy Bridge.

The Russian Defense Ministry said: “At 05:00 today Moscow time, the transfer of Russian units to the (east) bank of the Dnipro River was completed. During the transfer, not a single piece of equipment was left. military or armament. All Russian service personnel have been relocated, without any loss. “

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Despite the successful retreat of Russian troops, the loss of Kherson is still a major setback for Putin and his armed forces. It is the only regional capital captured by his forces since the invasion began and is located in the territory that declared part of Russia only a few weeks ago.

Losing Kherson meant that any Russian attack on Odesa was now impossible. It also means that Ukraine can now attack parts of Crimea – the crown jewel of its latest invasion, in 2014 – with long-range artillery. Kiev said it plans to take back the peninsula.

Russia is now thought to have taken a defensive position on the eastern bank of the Dnipro consisting of three lines consisting of a trench and a canal, covered by artillery and supported by Crimean reinforcements.

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(ian)