Ukrainian army enters Kherson after Russian retreat

By Ceyhun Alizade

ANKARA (AA) - The Ukrainian military on Friday entered the southern city of Kherson after Russian retreat from the region.

Footage and photos posted on social media showed the first Ukrainian troops reaching Kherson’s main square.

The region was captured by Russian forces at the start of the war, which has dragged on to nine months.

Footage showed Ukrainian troops hoisting their national flag on the Kherson Police Office.

Flags were also hoisted in the main square outside a government building where residents cheered on the Ukrainian soldiers.

"Today is a remarkable day! Russians left Dnipro's right bank. It is a huge victory of Ukrainian Army and Ukrainian people! Thank you to all our allies and friends! Our victories would be impossible without your support!" Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's Interior Ministry, said on Telegram.

The withdrawal of the Russian army from Kherson to the eastern bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River was completed early this morning, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Not a single unit of military equipment and weapons has been left on the western bank. All Russian servicemen crossed to the left bank of the Dnieper," Russia's Defense Ministry statement said.