Video shows a Kherson resident digging up the Ukrainian flag that she'd buried under paving stones as the city celebrates its liberation from Russian occupation
Bethany Dawson
- Over eight months since Russian forces seized the city, Ukrainians are celebrating the recapture of Kherson.
- Photos show people hugging loved ones, waving the now-famed blue and yellow flags, and drinking wine.
On March 2, 2022, the Ukrainian city of Kherson fell to Russian forces. Now, over eight months later, Ukrainians have spent their weekend celebrating that the Russian troops have withdrawn from the city.
In an announcement made on November 9, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered Russian forces in Kherson to retreat across the Dnieper River, marking one of the most significant setbacks for Russia in the Ukraine war.
Since the announcement, photos have flooded social media of happy and joyous Ukrainians embracing soldiers and one another and celebrating the provincial capital's liberation.
In a video posted by the Ukrainian defense ministry, one woman in Kherson digs up a Ukrainian flag buried under paving slabs, that appears to have been hidden when Putin's troops seized the city.
She waves the flag defiantly, unwrapping layers of protective plastic.
"Russian invaders want to erase #Ukrainian identity. But it is always in our hearts and souls … and somewhere else! Khersonians show how they managed to save the yellow-blue flag to bring it to the streets of the city on liberation day," the ministry wrote on Twitter.
Cheers to independence
Celebrating in the aptly-named Independence Square, this group of Ukrainians rejoices at their city's new-found independence from Putin's invasion.
Many people have gathered in the square this weekend to drink sparkling wine while draped in blue and yellow flags.
Zelenskyy thanks soldiers
Writing on his official Telegram channel on November 11, President Zelenskyy said that the people of Kherson "never gave up on Ukraine."
He said, "hope for Ukraine is always justified - and Ukraine always returns its own."
In his message, the President added his thanks to "every soldier and every unit of the Defense Forces" who brought Kherson to freedom.
Love and celebrations
A newlywed couple uses their special day to mark not just their love for each other but for their newly regained hometown.
While jubilations and joy are the themes of this weekend in Kherson, there is still a lot of work to do to restore the city.
According to the BBC, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "before fleeing from Kherson, the occupiers destroyed all critical infrastructure – communications, supply of water, heat, electricity," and it is not clear when the power will be restored to the region.
Kherson is the only provincial capital captured during the Russian invasion
The port city Kherson, once home to more than 280,000 people, was annexed by Putin's Russia in September.
Up to half the population is believed to have fled the city.
A return home
While many people celebrate in Kherson, many still wait to return to their home city.
This photo shows a girl who had to flee Kherson for nearby Odesa. She and her soft toy are now celebrating finally returning home.
The UN estimates that 6.9 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced due to the war.
Embracing a new Kherson
Warnings that Kherson is not like it was, with a diminished population and damaged infrastructures, have not dampened the celebrations this weekend.
On day 262 of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, those forced to watch their hometown being occupied are taking the rare opportunity to embrace joy – and each other – as they see Russians retreat across the Dnipro river.
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