Zelensky Watches Ukraine Flag Raised Over Kherson as Territory Restored

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the city of Kherson on Monday where he took part in an official flag-raising ceremony following Russia's retreat last week.

A video of the ceremony was released by Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Zelensky's office, as the Ukrainian leader visited the southern city for the first time since it was seized by Russian troops in the early stages of the war.

Zelensky spent about 30 minutes in the city, greeting residents and Ukrainian soldiers, according to local news outlet RBC Ukraine.

"I am very happy, it can be seen from the reaction of the people, their reaction is not staged. The people were waiting for the Ukrainian army, for our soldiers, for all of us," Zelensky said.

The president said it was vital for him to visit the city and demonstrate that "we are really coming back, we are really raising our flag."

Kherson residents gathered at the main square to see the leader, some waving the national flag, while others draped flags on their shoulders.

Russia's withdrawal from Kherson marked the third major retreat by President Vladimir Putin's troops since the start of the war on February 24.

Ukraine's defense intelligence agency said on November 11 that the city was being restored to Ukrainian control and called for any remaining Russian soldiers to surrender to its troops entering the city.

Kyiv's armed forces raised flags in Kherson shortly after Russian troops retreated, with flags appearing at the city council building on Friday.

Local publication Most reported that Kherson residents had flooded the streets to meet the military. Images published by the publication showed residents covering themselves with the Ukrainian flag.

People also gathered at Kherson's Svoboda (Freedom) Square, where protests against Russian occupation were held this spring.

"Today is a historic day. We are getting the south of the country back, we are getting Kherson back," Zelensky said in a video address on Thursday evening.

Zelensky thanked allies for their support in the war against Russia during his visit to Kherson on Monday.

"We are moving forward," he told Ukrainian troops. "We are ready for peace, peace for all our country."

The Kremlin meanwhile insisted on Monday that Kherson was still part of Russia.

"We leave this without comment," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, responding to a question about Zelensky's visit to Kherson. "You know, this territory is part of the Russian Federation."

In September, Russia illegally proclaimed the annexation of four Ukrainian territories, including the Kherson region.

Zelensky said in a statement on Friday that so far, 41 Kherson settlements have been liberated as Kyiv conducts its southern counteroffensive.

"Today we have good news from the south. The number of Ukrainian flags returning to their rightful place in the framework of the ongoing defense operation is already dozens," the president said.

"Now we are all happy to see how the Ukrainians who remained in the occupied villages and cities meet our warriors," he added. "Many are now checking almost every hour where our units have reached and where else our national flag was raised."

Newsweek reached out to Russia's foreign ministry for comment.