LIBERATED. A soldier gets flowers from a civilian after the Ukrainian army enters Kherson city. The soldiers liberated the city from Russian occupation. (Anadolu)
KHERSON, Ukraine – Ukrainian civilians in Kherson expressed joy Saturday following the liberation of their city from Russian occupation.
Residents in towns and villages where Ukrainian troops passed through on their way to Kherson cheered soldiers and gave them flowers to show their happiness and gratitude.
Sixty-six-year-old Natalya Porhun, told Anadolu Agency that they were crying again because of joy.
“We are happy welcoming our troops back here. Under Russian occupation, we couldn't even freely roam around,” she said.
Valentia Bogayeva. 61, said people are extremely happy about the return of Ukrainian soldiers to the city.
“For the last two days, we didn’t go home to welcome our soldiers. We embrace soldiers we meet and give them flowers,” she said.
The Ukrainian military started to enter the southern city of Kherson on Friday after the Russian withdrawal from the region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of western countries hailed it as a major Ukrainian victory.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said the Russian decision to withdraw was “positive and important.” (Anadolu)
