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Two days have passed since the Ukrainian city of Kherson was liberated from Russian occupation.
The joy about it is still great.
Aleksandar Sarovic, DER SPIEGEL
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There is a great sigh of relief here in Cherson.
The square here in the city center is actually drowning in the national colors of blue and yellow.
People walk through the city with tears of joy.
Soldiers can hardly walk two meters without someone throwing themselves at them.
You get an impression of what the people here must have gone through during the occupation.
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Pictures soldiers
Lyudmila, resident of Kherson
"
I can't even speak, I'm so happy I can't believe we're free.
God bless us.
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Cherson was occupied by Russian troops in March.
At first, the residents resisted.
But the protests were crushed and a Russian occupation authority was introduced.
The city has been under Ukrainian control again since last Friday, and the last traces of the Russian occupation are being destroyed by the residents.
Christian Esch, DER SPIEGEL
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Here behind me you can see one of the many posters in Cherson that are still hanging today.
"Forever with Russia" was written on the poster here, along with two children in the typical Ukrainian vyshyvanka, folk costume shirts.
And this poster is being torn down to the applause of some residents.
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Elsewhere, however, the aftermath of the Russian occupation will be felt for a long time.
Aleksandar Sarovic, DER SPIEGEL
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The city has no electricity or water.
According to local residents, the Russians cut off supplies before they left.
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During their retreat, the Russians also destroyed the Antonivka Bridge, a road bridge that spans the Dnieper River and connects the western city of Kherson with the eastern bank.
Christian Esch
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This is, so to speak, a symbol of this Russian withdrawal after nine months of occupation.
And we see a fire here on the east side of the river.
Apparently from Ukrainian artillery fire.
Because the river, the Dnieper, has become the new front line here.
Russian troops are still stationed on the east bank, while only Ukrainian troops are now stationed here on the west bank.
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Meanwhile, Ukrainian security forces have begun clearing mines in the region.
2,000 explosive devices have already been defused, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
