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Zelenskiy Declares Kherson Is 'Ours' As Ukrainian Troops Enter City, Reportedly Reach Banks Of Dnieper River

Updated
A soldier holds a weathered Ukrainian flag as the sun begins to set on the freshly recaptured town of Snihurivka, near Kherson.
A soldier holds a weathered Ukrainian flag as the sun begins to set on the freshly recaptured town of Snihurivka, near Kherson.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that Kherson is "ours” after his special forces entered the strategic southern city following the retreat of Russian troops, marking another dramatic battlefield victory in Kyiv’s drive to recapture territory occupied by Russia since the start of its unprovoked invasion.

The Ukrainian military also said on November 11 that its troops had advanced all the way to the western bank of the Dnieper River in some areas of the Kherson region as Moscow said its forces had completed their withdrawal to the eastern bank in the face of Ukraine’s powerful counteroffensive.

"Our people -- Ours. Kherson," Zelenskiy wrote in a Telegram post that also included what appeared to be a video of Ukrainian troops celebrating with local residents.

Russian Forces Digging Trenches, Fortifications On Banks Of Dnieper River, Satellite Imagery Shows

Satellite images taken on November 10 by Planet Labs and obtained by RFE/RL show a network of trenches dug into the riverbanks upriver -- to the north -- of the town of Nova Kakhovka, the site of a major hydroelectric dam and the only remaining permanent crossing across the Dnieper.
1/13 Satellite images taken on November 10 by Planet Labs and obtained by RFE/RL show a network of trenches dug into the riverbanks upriver -- to the north -- of the town of Nova Kakhovka, the site of a major hydroelectric dam and the only remaining permanent crossing across the Dnieper.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
Satellite photos also confirm that Russian troops blew up several spans of the bridge leading to the dam&rsquo;s hydroelectric station. Ukrainian forces have pummeled the river crossings for weeks now, limiting Russia&rsquo;s ability to resupply its forces on the west -- or right -- bank of the Dnieper.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> That effort has also severely hindered Russia&rsquo;s ability to withdraw its forces from the west bank amid an accelerating Ukrainian offensive toward the city of Kherson.&nbsp;On November 11, however, <strong><a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kherson-advances-russian-retreat/32125398.html" target="_self">Ukrainian forces were reported</a></strong> in the city, and photographs and videos circulating on social media showed people waving Ukrainian flags, dancing, and chanting in the city&rsquo;s main square.
2/13 Satellite photos also confirm that Russian troops blew up several spans of the bridge leading to the dam’s hydroelectric station. Ukrainian forces have pummeled the river crossings for weeks now, limiting Russia’s ability to resupply its forces on the west -- or right -- bank of the Dnieper.  
 
That effort has also severely hindered Russia’s ability to withdraw its forces from the west bank amid an accelerating Ukrainian offensive toward the city of Kherson. On November 11, however, Ukrainian forces were reported in the city, and photographs and videos circulating on social media showed people waving Ukrainian flags, dancing, and chanting in the city’s main square.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
The images <strong><a href="https://www.svoboda.org/a/nazad-k-novym-rubezham-rossiyskie-okopy-na-levom-beregu-dnepra/32126961.html?nocache=1" target="_blank">obtained by RFE/RL </a></strong>include ones taken more than a month ago, when Russian forces still controlled much of the west bank in Kherson Oblast and most of the riverfront and river crossings.<br /> <br /> Since that time, Ukrainian forces have slowly pushed south and east, squeezing Russian forces.
3/13 The images obtained by RFE/RL include ones taken more than a month ago, when Russian forces still controlled much of the west bank in Kherson Oblast and most of the riverfront and river crossings.

Since that time, Ukrainian forces have slowly pushed south and east, squeezing Russian forces.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
At Nova Kakhovka, the images show a snaking line of trenches immediately downriver from the concrete dam itself, on an island known as Kos.<br /> <br /> The trenches, estimated at about 2 kilometers in total, appear to have been dug sometime between October 9, when the most recent previous images were taken, and November 10.
4/13 At Nova Kakhovka, the images show a snaking line of trenches immediately downriver from the concrete dam itself, on an island known as Kos.

The trenches, estimated at about 2 kilometers in total, appear to have been dug sometime between October 9, when the most recent previous images were taken, and November 10.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
A satellite image taken on November 10 showing the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric plant, after Russian forces dug defensive trenches.
5/13 A satellite image taken on November 10 showing the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric plant, after Russian forces dug defensive trenches.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
Another image of a riverfront beach upriver from the dam also shows a snaking line of trenches that appear to stretch for hundreds of meters, paralleling the water.
6/13 Another image of a riverfront beach upriver from the dam also shows a snaking line of trenches that appear to stretch for hundreds of meters, paralleling the water.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
The defensive trenches do not appear in imagery taken last month.&nbsp;
7/13 The defensive trenches do not appear in imagery taken last month. 
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
About 6 kilometers downriver from the dam, more trenches can be seen on the riverbank, along with a pontoon ferry on the opposite bank to the north, beached on a sizable island close to the west bank.
8/13 About 6 kilometers downriver from the dam, more trenches can be seen on the riverbank, along with a pontoon ferry on the opposite bank to the north, beached on a sizable island close to the west bank.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
The ferry appears to be similar to one <strong><a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kherson-ferries-russian-retreat/32093482.html " target="_blank">discovered by RFE/RL</a></strong> last month, based on social media videos and photographs posted by retreating Russian soldiers.&nbsp;
9/13 The ferry appears to be similar to one discovered by RFE/RL last month, based on social media videos and photographs posted by retreating Russian soldiers. 
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
Aside from the dam at Nova Kakhovka, the other major crossing linking the two banks of the Dnieper is the Antonivskiy Bridge<strong> </strong>on the eastern outskirts of the city of Kherson.<br /> <br /> The bridge has been repeatedly blasted by Ukrainian forces seeking to limit Russia&rsquo;s ability to resupply its forces; the bridge surface spans have been heavily damaged and impassable for vehicles but have been intact until November 11.
10/13 Aside from the dam at Nova Kakhovka, the other major crossing linking the two banks of the Dnieper is the Antonivskiy Bridge on the eastern outskirts of the city of Kherson.

The bridge has been repeatedly blasted by Ukrainian forces seeking to limit Russia’s ability to resupply its forces; the bridge surface spans have been heavily damaged and impassable for vehicles but have been intact until November 11.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
Another satellite image taken on November 10 shows the new Russian trench fortifications on the southern approach to the bridge, on the opposite side of the river from the city of Kherson itself.
11/13 Another satellite image taken on November 10 shows the new Russian trench fortifications on the southern approach to the bridge, on the opposite side of the river from the city of Kherson itself.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
A satellite image taken on October 9 immediately upriver from the Nova Kakhovka dam, before Russian forces dug defensive fortifications.
12/13 A satellite image taken on October 9 immediately upriver from the Nova Kakhovka dam, before Russian forces dug defensive fortifications.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
A satellite image taken on November 10 from the same location adjacent to the Nova Kakhovka dam, after Russian forces dug defensive fortifications.<br /> <br /> A day earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the top Russian commander in charge of the Ukraine war, General Sergei Surovikin, announced a wholesale retreat from the west bank. On November 11, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the withdrawal was completed, though that could not be immediately verified by RFE/RL.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Between 20,000 and 30,000 Russian troops were estimated to have been on the west bank in recent weeks, U.S. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said this week.
13/13 A satellite image taken on November 10 from the same location adjacent to the Nova Kakhovka dam, after Russian forces dug defensive fortifications.

A day earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the top Russian commander in charge of the Ukraine war, General Sergei Surovikin, announced a wholesale retreat from the west bank. On November 11, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the withdrawal was completed, though that could not be immediately verified by RFE/RL. 
 
Between 20,000 and 30,000 Russian troops were estimated to have been on the west bank in recent weeks, U.S. General Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said this week.
Russian forces have dug extensive trenches and other fortifications on the east bank of Ukraine’s Dnieper River, new satellite imagery shows, as Russia stages a major retreat from the opposite bank and braces for further Ukrainian offensives.
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“Today is a historic day,” Zelenskiy said in the post. “We are returning Kherson. As of now, our defenders are on the approaches to the city. But special units are already in the city.”

Various videos on social media from Kherson showed resident cheering and waving flags as the first Ukrainian troops reached the center of the city, the only provincial capital captured by Russian forces following their February 24 invasion.

"Kherson is returning to the control of Ukraine," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said earlier in the day. "Units of the armed forces of Ukraine are entering the city."

WATCH: Local residents welcomed Ukrainian soldiers into Snihurivka on November 10, as advance forces of the Ukrainian military recaptured the town in the southern Mykolayiv region. Other footage from the village of Blahodatne in the Kherson region shows a massive cache of abandoned weapons left by the Russian troops after their retreat.

'God Bless You': Relieved Residents Welcome Ukrainian Troops As They Advance Toward Kherson
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'God Bless You': Relieved Residents Welcome Ukrainian Troops As They Advance Toward Kherson
by RFE/RL

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0:00 0:02:18 0:00

"The Russian occupiers' routes of retreat are under the direct fire of the Ukrainian Army," the statement added. "Any Russian soldier who resists will be killed."

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that "Ukraine is gaining another important victory right now and proves that whatever Russia says or does, Ukraine will win." The tweet included a video purporting to show Kherson residents removing a billboard that proclaimed "Russia is here forever."

Serhiy Khlan, a deputy for the Kherson Regional Council, said a Ukrainian flag had been raised in Kherson, as multiple videos circulating on social media purportedly showed Ukrainian soldiers planting their yellow-and-blue flag on administrative buildings in the city and local residents celebrating.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had finished the pullout from Kherson city and the region at 5 a.m. on November 11 and that no military equipment had been left behind, in an another embarrassing blow to Moscow's war effort, which it refers to as a "special military operation."

"In total, more than 30,000 Russian servicemen, about 5,000 pieces of hardware, and military equipment and materiel have been withdrawn," the ministry said. "Not a single piece of military equipment or weaponry was left on the right (western) bank," he added, although the report could not immediately be confirmed.

Khlan said some Russian soldiers had been unable to leave the city and had changed into civilian clothing and urged local residents to stay at home while Ukrainian troops cleared the city.

"The number of these people is not known," he told a news briefing, without citing evidence for the claim.

Khlan also said, without citing evidence, that many Russian troops had drowned attempting to flee across the river.

The head of the joint coordination press center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, Natalya Humenyuk, said Russian troops "have been changing into civilian clothes for two weeks."

"This should focus our forces as it means saboteur operations cannot be ruled out," Humenyuk told a separate briefing.

"Because of this, we are not rushing to announce our successes in other directions and in other towns."

Russia did not immediately comment on Khlan's or Humenyuk's remarks.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on November 10 that it would take Russia at least a week to withdraw, telling Reuters in an interview that Russia had 40,000 troops in the Kherson region and that it still had forces in the city.

Kherson controls both the only land route to Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and the mouth of the Dnieper, which bisects Ukraine.

Recapturing the city could provide Ukraine with a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's public broadcaster quoted local residents as saying on November 11 that the Antonivskiy Bridge, the only nearby road crossing from Kherson city to the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnieper, had collapsed.

Tears, Joy On The Streets As Ukrainian Troops Push Toward Kherson

A woman weeps, moments before stepping forward and blessing a Ukrainian soldier.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> This and other photos in this gallery show the scenes in Snihurivka on the evening of November 10 as advance forces of the Ukrainian military recaptured the town in the southern Mykolayiv region.
1/12 A woman weeps, moments before stepping forward and blessing a Ukrainian soldier. 

This and other photos in this gallery show the scenes in Snihurivka on the evening of November 10 as advance forces of the Ukrainian military recaptured the town in the southern Mykolayiv region.
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
A soldier holds a weathered Ukrainian flag as the sun begins to set on the freshly recaptured town.<br /> <br /> Snihurivka&nbsp;had been occupied by Russian forces since March.&nbsp;
2/12 A soldier holds a weathered Ukrainian flag as the sun begins to set on the freshly recaptured town.

Snihurivka had been occupied by Russian forces since March. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Battle damage in the newly retaken town.<br /> <br /> Snihurivka lies just 55 kilometers north of Kherson, the southern port city seen as the current focal point of the fighting in southern Ukraine.&nbsp;
3/12 Battle damage in the newly retaken town.

Snihurivka lies just 55 kilometers north of Kherson, the southern port city seen as the current focal point of the fighting in southern Ukraine. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
A man cries as he tells Ukrainian soldiers, &quot;Don&#39;t leave us again, I&#39;m begging you.&quot;<br /> <br /> These photos were taken by <strong><a href="https://www.frontliner.com.ua/about-donbas-frontliner-english/">veteran Ukrainian conflict photojournalist Andriy Dubchak</a></strong> as he accompanied Ukrainian forces advancing south toward Kherson.&nbsp;
4/12 A man cries as he tells Ukrainian soldiers, "Don't leave us again, I'm begging you."

These photos were taken by veteran Ukrainian conflict photojournalist Andriy Dubchak as he accompanied Ukrainian forces advancing south toward Kherson. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Destroyed vehicles sit on a road near Snihurivka.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> A highly public announcement of Russia&#39;s pullout from most of Kherson left some Ukrainian commanders <strong><a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kherson-retreat-shoigu-ukraine/32122802.html" target="_self">suspicious of a possible trap</a></strong>, but the November 11 destruction of the crucial main bridge of the city and the relatively easy recapture of villages north of Kherson have revived hopes of an imminent Ukrainian takeover.&nbsp;
5/12 Destroyed vehicles sit on a road near Snihurivka. 

A highly public announcement of Russia's pullout from most of Kherson left some Ukrainian commanders suspicious of a possible trap, but the November 11 destruction of the crucial main bridge of the city and the relatively easy recapture of villages north of Kherson have revived hopes of an imminent Ukrainian takeover. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
A soldier inspects a damaged anti-tank mine in Snihurivka.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Exploded bridges and military positions that these Ukrainian forces discovered as they advanced make it clear the Russian forces left the area &quot;systematically,&quot; Dubchak said.&nbsp;
6/12 A soldier inspects a damaged anti-tank mine in Snihurivka. 

Exploded bridges and military positions that these Ukrainian forces discovered as they advanced make it clear the Russian forces left the area "systematically," Dubchak said. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Locals wave as journalists enter the town along with Ukrainian troops.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Dubchak told RFE/RL on the evening of November 10 that there was still some fighting taking place in the town, which before the February invasion had a population of around 12,000 people.&nbsp;
7/12 Locals wave as journalists enter the town along with Ukrainian troops. 

Dubchak told RFE/RL on the evening of November 10 that there was still some fighting taking place in the town, which before the February invasion had a population of around 12,000 people. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Ukrainian troops examine a destroyed tank.<br /> <br /> Dubchak says he asked locals whether possible war crimes took place in Snihurivka during its occupation by Russian forces but says, &quot;For now, there is no information.&quot;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> &nbsp;
8/12 Ukrainian troops examine a destroyed tank.

Dubchak says he asked locals whether possible war crimes took place in Snihurivka during its occupation by Russian forces but says, "For now, there is no information." 

 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Smoke rises from fighting near Snihurivka.&nbsp;
9/12 Smoke rises from fighting near Snihurivka. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Ukrainian forces explore Snihurivka, which still had some remnants of Russian forces on November 10.&nbsp;
10/12 Ukrainian forces explore Snihurivka, which still had some remnants of Russian forces on November 10. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
A local man looks over the aftermath of a battle in Snihurivka.&nbsp;
11/12 A local man looks over the aftermath of a battle in Snihurivka. 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
Ukrainian forces on a street in Snihurivka<br /> <br /> &quot;People offered warm food to the military&quot; as soldiers entered the town, Dubchak said. &quot;I saw soldiers crying, too.&quot;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <br /> &nbsp;
12/12 Ukrainian forces on a street in Snihurivka

"People offered warm food to the military" as soldiers entered the town, Dubchak said. "I saw soldiers crying, too." 


 
Striking images from the Ukrainian advance south capture the raw emotion as locals welcome the return of their soldiers into the town of Snihurivka on November 10.
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The Suspilne broadcaster published a photograph showing whole sections of the bridge missing. The next road crossing across the Dnieper is more than 70 kilometers from Kherson city.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the collapse.

Whole sections of the Antonivskiy Bridge appear to be missing.
Whole sections of the Antonivskiy Bridge appear to be missing.

The Ukrainian General Staff said retreating Russian forces have been looting homes and destroying critical infrastructure, while forcibly evicting residents from the settlements still under their control.

"The Russian invaders continue to loot the settlements from which they are retreating. The enemy is also attempting to damage power lines and other elements of the transport and critical infrastructure of the Kherson region as much as possible," the military said, adding that Russian mines continue to wound civilians.

Elsewhere, six civilians were killed in a Russian rocket attack on Mykolayiv overnight, the mayor of the southern Ukrainian city said on November 11, as Ukrainian troops continued their advance in the direction of Kherson.

The mayor of Mykolayiv, Oleksandr Sienkovych, said on November 11 that the people were killed when Russian rockets hit a residential area of the city, destroying a five-story building.

"As of 10 a.m., six people were killed by the impact of the attack on the residential building," Sienkovych said.

Fierce fighting continues in Bakhmut and Soledar in the eastern Donetsk region as well as in the adjacent Luhansk region, the military said, adding that heavy Russian shelling pounded about 20 settlements in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Mykolayiv regions.

In his nightly address late on November 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said: "Today we have good news from the south. The number of Ukrainian flags returning to their rightful place within the framework of the ongoing defense operation is already dozens.”

He added that 41 settlements had been liberated.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa
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