Ukrainian president Zelenskyy visits Kherson, celebrates Russian retreat

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a shock go to to Kherson on Monday because the Ukrainian forces recaptured town six weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed the Kherson area.

Kherson,UPDATED: Nov 14, 2022 19:40 IST

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to folks after Russia’s retreat from Kherson, in central Kherson, Ukraine November 14, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)

By Reuters: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the southern metropolis of Kherson on Monday to rejoice its recapture from Russian forces with joyful residents and troops after months of Russian occupation.

He expressed hope that Russia’s retreat from Kherson final week following a Ukrainian counter-offensive would possibly mark the start of the top of the warfare.

“We are moving forward,” Zelenskyy instructed reporters in Kherson after addressing troops in entrance of the administration constructing in the principle sq.. “We are ready for peace, peace for all our country.”

He expressed hope that Russia’s retreat from Kherson final week following a Ukrainian counter-offensive would possibly mark the start of the top of the warfare.

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“We are moving forward,” Zelenskyy instructed reporters in Kherson after addressing troops in entrance of the administration constructing in the principle sq.. “We are ready for peace, peace for all our country.”

Military positive aspects are anticipated to change into tougher as winter units in. But, requested whether or not the recapture of Kherson might be the start of the top of the warfare, Zelenskyy replied: “Of course. “You see our robust military. We are step-by-step coming (shifting) by way of our nation, the quickly occupied territories.”

Zelenskyy thanked NATO and other allies for their support and said the delivery of high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) from the United States had made a big difference to Ukraine’s war effort.

Parents with children, some pushing baby strollers, also gathered in the main square in front of the administration building that until recently was occupied by Russian forces.

Some people waved Ukrainian flags and others had the flag draped over their shoulders.

“I’m actually glad, you may inform by the response of the folks, their response will not be staged,” said Zelenskyy , who was flanked by heavily armed security guards.

He said it was important to visit Kherson to show support for residents who endured about eight months of Russian occupation and to demonstrate to them that “we’re actually returning, we actually elevate our flag.”

SHELLING NEARBY

The president spent about 30 minutes in Kherson before leaving. Minutes before he arrived, nearby shelling could be heard in the centre of Kherson. After he finished speaking, several more blasts of artillery gunfire echoed over the city.

Ukrainian troops reached the centre of Kherson on Friday after Russia abandoned the only regional capital it had captured since the Feb. 24 invasion.

The withdrawal marked the third major Russian retreat of the war and the first to involve yielding such a large occupied city in the face of a major Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Ukraine has said it is ready for peace talks but not with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated Ukraine’s terms on Facebook on Monday.

“Ukraine’s peace formulation stays unchanged: a direct finish to the warfare, the withdrawal of all Russian troops, the restoration of Ukrainian territorial integrity, compensation for the injury triggered, and the availability of efficient ensures of non-repetition of aggression,” he wrote.

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Posted By:

Rishabh Sharma

Published On:

Nov 14, 2022