Ukrainian troops greeted as heroes upon arrival in downtown Kherson

The abandonment of the city by Russian troops could also serve as a springboard for further advances into occupied territory as residents celebrated and raised flags in the liberated city of Kherson in Ukraine

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Ukrainian soldiers wave flags as Russians retreat from Kherson

Freedom flag flies over Kherson as Ukrainian troops are welcomed as heroes.

This came after Russia took its last step on the big city on Friday and paved the way for victorious Ukrainian forces to reclaim the only Russian-held provincial capital.

The abandonment of the city by Russian troops could also serve as a springboard for further advances into occupied territory.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its troops had finished withdrawing from the western bank of the river separating the Ukrainian region from Kherson by 5 a.m.

The area they left included the city of Kherson, the only provincial capital Russia captured during its nearly nine-month invasion of Ukraine.

Videos and photos on social media showed residents taking to the streets in jubilation and a Ukrainian flag waving above a monument in a central square in Kherson after the city was taken by Russian forces early March.

The soldiers were greeted as heroes with jubilation upon their arrival in downtown Kherson (

Picture:

Twitter)

Some images showed crowds cheering men in military uniform.

Ukrainian officials have not confirmed that the city is back in Ukrainian hands.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence agency said that "an operation to liberate Kherson" and the surrounding region of the same name was underway.

Andriy Yusov said. "It will be possible to talk about the establishment of Ukrainian control over the city only after an official report from the General Staff" of the Ukrainian army.