Ukrainian forces welcomed in liberated Kherson by cheering crowds, Russian sabotage and plunder
Ukrainian forces swept into Kherson, the regional capital of southern Kherson province, over the weekend following Russia's unexpectedly quick, deeply humiliating retreat from the city and all Ukrainian land west of the Dnipro River. They were greeted by cheering, sometimes weeping residents wearing Ukrainian flags and hugging soldiers — and sometimes reporters, as CNN's Nic Robertson discovered. The celebration lasted all weekend.
But Ukrainian authorities also found that Russia had looted and destroyed infrastructure in the city before pulling out, leaving Kherson with no power, heat, water, or cellphone service. "There's a critical lack of water in the city," Roman Holovnya, an adviser to Kherson's mayor, told Ukrainian television. "There's a lack of medicines, there's a lack of bread, because it can't be baked as there's no electricity." He said about a quarter of Kherson's prewar population of 320,000 inhabitants remain in the city.
Ukraine's government is sending stoves and firewood to liberated Kherson, and humanitarian convoys of food and medicine are coming from nearby cities, but Russian soldiers blew up nearly a mile of the electric network, destroyed the TV broadcast tower, and took parts from cellphone towers. "We will restore everything, believe me," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Saturday night address. He said about 2,000 mines, tripwires, and unexploded munitions have already been cleared from the region. Ukrainian police arrived in Kherson on Saturday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Zelensky said Sunday night that investigators have already uncovered more than 400 war crimes in liberated Kherson. "In the Kherson region, the Russian army left behind the same atrocities as in other regions of our country, where it was able to enter," he said. "We will find and bring to justice every murderer. Without a doubt."
The Russians also pillaged the city, stealing fire and utility trucks, washing machines, hundreds of works of art from the Kherson Art Museum, the bones of 18th century Russian general Grigory Potemkin, and seven raccoons, two wolves, peacocks, a llama, and a donkey from the Kherson Zoo, The Washington Post reports. The theft of raccoons provided a moment of dark levity among the other plunder and tragedy.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 19, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - 2024 votes, AI woes, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high rating cartoons about Biden's low poll numbers
Cartoons Artists take on checklists, ice creams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A gastronomic tour of the Costa de la Luz
The Week Recommends This Spanish spot has fantastic restaurants "rooted in the region's distinctive produce"
By The Week UK Published
-
A brief timeline of Russia's war in Ukraine
In Depth How the Kremlin's plan for a quick conquest turned into a quagmire
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's thorny convict-soldier problem
Under the Radar Putin's Ministry of Defense, like Wagner, is recruiting soldiers from Russian prisons to fight his Ukraine war. Russians aren't excited about them returning home.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published