After a fierce counteroffensive, the Russian troops have been driven from the city.

For months now, the Ukrainian city of Kherson had been under occupation by invading Russian military troops. The city had become a veritable battlefield, with thousands of troops killed on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides. After a prolonged conflict, however, the Ukrainian military has made a decisive push against Russia, successfully forcing the Russian troops out of Kherson and reclaiming the city.

More from #Kherson. AFU being welcomed. This is what liberation looks like. pic.twitter.com/Xxz1YYE9Qe

— NOËL 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) November 11, 2022

The Russian troops have spent the last several days beating a hasty retreat from Kherson and its nearby territories, setting up a new defensive line across the Dnieper River. Due to a missile attack on the Antonivskiy Bridge, the only bridge over that river, the Russian troops cannot realistically return to Kherson at this time.

As the Ukrainian troops entered Kherson, they were greeted by its citizens waving Ukrainian flags and celebrating in the streets, relieved to be out from under Russia’s thumb.

https://twitter.com/SvitMore/status/1591081020912447489

“Kherson returns under control of Ukraine, parts of Ukrainian Armed Forces enter the city,” the Main Directorate of Ukrainian Intelligence wrote on its Facebook page. According to the Directorate, there were still some straggling Russian troops in the city who had ditched their fatigues to blend in and escape.

“Your commanders urge you to dress in civilian clothes and try to escape from Kherson on your own. Obviously you can’t do this,” the Directorate said in a message to Russian soldiers. “You have only one chance to avoid death — to surrender immediately.”