Podolyak says liberation of Kherson spells death of the ‘Russian world’

“’(The) Russian world’ as an expansion of barbaric culture, mass murder, hatred and lies has died. It is being hated,” Podolyak wrote.

“Just compare how Russian occupiers were ‘met’ with protests in February 2022 and how the Ukrainian Armed Forces are now being met in Kherson. No words are needed. Everything is obvious,” Podolyak concluded.

A day earlier, on Nov. 11, the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the key southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, which was occupied by Russian invasion forces in the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. Ukrainian flags are now flying in the city and near Kherson administrative buildings.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially announced the liberation of Kherson in the evening of Nov. 11, warning that Russian soldiers are still in the region. The Ukrainian army continues de-occupation and clearing of Ukrainian territories, he said.

About 3,000 square kilometers (or 1,160 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in the south of the country had been liberated as of Nov. 12. In some places Ukrainian troops have reached the banks of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast, according to the General Staff.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu on Nov. 9 ordered Russian invasion forces to retreat from the right (western) bank of the Dnipro River, saying there were problems with logistics and supporting Russian troops in the area. He also claimed he wanted to save Russian soldiers' lives, as well.

Russia said the withdrawal was completed on Nov. 11, claiming 30,000 troops and 5,000 pieces of military equipment had been evacuated.