Volodymyr Zelensky on liberating Kherson: ‘Today is a historic day. Khersonians had been waiting.’

In a video address at the end of November 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the liberation of Kherson and the Russian retreat from the city.

Today is a historic day: we are taking back the south of our country. We are taking back Kherson. Today, our defenders are getting near the city, but special units are already there. Khersonians had been waiting. They never disavowed Ukraine. Hope in Ukraine is always justified — and Ukraine always takes back what belongs to her.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence reported that AFU formations were entering the city.

Zelensky says that “stabilization measures” and mine clearance are the first order of business in Kherson, and that journalists will not be allowed to enter the city yet.

The Ukrainian president also addressed the Russian troops and city residents who had collaborated with the occupation forces — the people who, as Zelensky described it, were abandoned by Russia on the right bank of Dnipro River, in the wake of the Russian retreat. Zelensky advised them to surrender to the Ukrainian army.

Kherson is the only Ukrainian regional center that has been occupied by Russia during the war.

Follow Meduza in English on Twitter to stay up to date.