![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/zelensky-says-kherson-is-ours-after-collapse-of-russias-frontline/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000315896643_1_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqrauIH4hQ-JZVc_eMuCeD9F5NUcTKNHKqy85KLqtvPLE.jpeg&description=Ukraine recaptured the city of Kherson on Friday as Russia beat a lightning retreat over the Dnipro river. The collapse of Moscow's frontline in southern Ukraine came after months of fierce fighting, and opened a new chapter in the war. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Kherson is "ours" after his forces were met by scenes of jubilation as they entered the regional capital. "We are returning Kherson," Mr Zelensky on Friday said in his nightly address to the nation. "The people of Kherson were waiting. They never gave up on Ukraine. Hope for Ukraine is always justified – and Ukraine always returns its own." As Russian forces fled over the river they blew up at least three crossings to keep Ukraine from pursuing them. But the liberation of Kherson means Ukraine's Himars precision rocket launchers could now be within range of Russian resupply routes out of the Crimean peninsula. The fall of Kherson is also likely to lead to a shift in focus from the south back to the north-east where Ukraine and Russia are still engaged in fierce close-quarters fighting. The victory falls on the eve of the G20 summit, where the West is planning to isolate the Russian delegation. It comes after senior US officials have begun urging Ukraine to seize the opportunity to restart peace negotiations with Russia. Vladimir Putin remained silent on the retreat last night, with the Kremlin's spokesperson shifting responsibility for the 'withdrawal' onto military chiefs earlier in the day. The speed of the retreat took many observers by surprise. It was also marred by reports of chaos, with troops said to have swapped into civilian clothes to make their getaway and some units abandoning hardware. Igor Konashenkov, Russia's defence ministry spokesman, said its army had completed the 'redeployment', without leaving behind equipment or suffering casualties. By Friday afternoon, social media was awash with footage of Kherson's residents celebrating with Ukrainian soldiers as they arrived in){kind=link}
‘Hope for Ukraine is always justified – and Ukraine always returns its own’
Ukraine recaptured the city of Kherson on Friday as Russia beat a lightning retreat over the Dnipro river.
The collapse of Moscow’s frontline in southern Ukraine came after months of fierce fighting, and opened a new chapter in the war.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Kherson is “ours” after his forces were met by scenes of jubilation as they entered the regional capital.
“We are returning Kherson,” Mr Zelensky on Friday said in his nightly address to the nation. “The people of Kherson were waiting. They never gave up on Ukraine. Hope for Ukraine is always justified – and Ukraine always returns its own.”