The Battle of Kherson was a military engagement between Russian and Ukrainian forces which began on 24 February 2022, as part of the Southern Ukraine offensive during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kherson was the first major Ukrainian city captured by Russian forces during the Southern Ukraine offensive.[1] As of 19 July 2025, Kherson is the only capital city of one of Ukraine's provinces to have fallen during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian offensive and capture of Kherson[]
February[]
The Antonovskiy Bridge in 2006
Russian forces invaded Kherson Oblast from the south through Crimea on 24 February, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying "Our troops are fighting fierce battles near the outskirts of Kherson, the enemy is pressing from the occupied Crimea, trying to advance towards Melitopol."[6] By the evening of 24 February, Russian forces reached the city of Kherson and had secured the Antonovskiy Bridge,[7][8] which provides a strategic crossing over the Dnieper River and towards the important junction city of Mykolaiv.[9]
By the early hours of 25 February, Ukrainian forces recaptured the bridge in a battle that was described as fierce and left dead soldiers and several destroyed military vehicles lying on the bridge.[8][10][11] The counterattack forced the Russians to push north and capture the next closest crossing of the Dnieper, the city of Nova Kakhovka.[12][13] Russian troops once again seized the Antonovskiy Bridge later in the day.[5]
On 26 February, Ihor Kolykhaiev, the mayor of Kherson, stated that Russian forces pulled back from Kherson after a Ukrainian air strike on Russian armored vehicles, allowing the city to remain under Ukrainian control.[14][15] A Ukrainian official, Anton Herashchenko, later claimed that a Russian army column was defeated by Ukrainian forces near the town of Oleshky, located just south of Kherson.[16] Later, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Iryna Venediktova, claimed that Russian forces killed a journalist and an ambulance driver near Kherson. Venediktova stated that Ukrainian law enforcement had opened criminal proceedings into the shootings.[17]
On the morning of 27 February, the Russian Ministry of Defence stated that Russian forces had encircled Kherson and, according to Ukrainian officials, captured a part of the city, including Kherson International Airport.[18][19][20] Later in the morning, the Ukrainian Air Force allegedly conducted a successful drone strike against Russian forces in the village of Chornobayivka, just to the north of Kherson.[21]
Ukrainian officials alleged that beginning on 27 February, Russian forces began moving civilians from nearby villages towards Kherson, attempting to use civilians as human shields.[22]
March[]
In the early morning of 1 March, Ukrainian officials stated that Russian forces had launched a renewed assault on Kherson and were advancing from Kherson International Airport to the highway between Kherson and Mykolaiv. While conducting heavy shelling, Russian forces surrounded the city and reached the highway, advancing to the village of Komyshany before establishing a checkpoint.[23][24] Russian forces entered Kherson later in the day.[25] Kolykhayev described the impact on citizens in the city, stating that many remained in their homes and in bomb shelters. He also claimed that schools and high rise buildings were damaged by the fighting, while residential buildings were being fired upon by Russian forces. Kolykhayev also claimed that on 1 March, Russian soldiers shot citizens armed with Molotov cocktails.[26] In the early morning of 2 March, Kolykhayev reported that Russian forces captured a railway station and a river port.[26] Later in the morning, Russian forces were seen at Svobody Square in central Kherson, where the Kherson Regional Administration building is located.[23] The Russian Ministry of Defense later claimed to have captured the city,[27] while Ukrainian and American officials denied the claim and stated that fighting continued.[28][29]
Later on 2 March, a group of around ten Russian soldiers, including a commander, entered the city council building and began negotiations with Kolykhaiev. That evening, Kolykhaiev announced that he had surrendered the city and that the Russian commander intended to set up a military administration. Kolykhaiev acknowledged the Ukrainian military was no longer present in Kherson, and another official stated the Russian military was in all parts of the city. According to Kolykhaiev, the battle led to the deaths of around 300 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and severe destruction of the city's infrastructure. He also said that bodies were being buried in mass graves, and that many remains were unrecognizable.[1][30]
Aftermath[]
Russian-controlled Kherson[]
Shortly after Kherson was captured, the Russian Ministry of Defence said talks between Russian forces and city administrators regarding the maintenance of order were underway. An agreement was reached in which the Ukrainian flag would still be hoisted in the city while Russia established the new administration. Kolykhaiev announced new conditions for the city's residents: citizens could only be outside during daytime and were forbidden to gather in groups. Additionally, cars were only being allowed to enter the city to supply food and medicine; these vehicles were to drive at minimum speeds and were subject to searches. Citizens were warned to not provoke Russian soldiers and obey any commands given.[30]
On 4 March, a Kherson resident appeared on CNN and alleged that Russian soldiers had raped 11 women in Kherson, with 6 of those women being killed, with a teenager among those raped and killed.[31][32] However, Gennady Laguta, the head of the Ukrainian Kherson Regional State Administration, denied these allegations, stating that they were disinformation.[33]
On 5 March, Kolykhaiev stated that there was no armed resistance in the city and Russian troops were "quite settled". He requested humanitarian aid, stating that the city lacked power, water, and medicine.[34] Later that day, around 2,000 protesters marched in the city center. The protesters waved Ukrainian flags, sang the national anthem, and chanted patriotic slogans. A video showed Russian soldiers firing into the air to dissuade the protestors. There were also claims that the Russian force had a list of Ukrainian activists in the city that they wanted to capture.[35] On 9 March, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that Russia had detained more than 400 people in Kherson due to ongoing protests.[36]
On 12 March, Ukrainian officials claimed that Russia was planning to stage a referendum in Kherson to establish the Kherson People's Republic, similar to the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. Serhiy Khlan, the deputy leader of the Kherson Oblast Council, claimed that the Russian military had called all the members of the council and asked them to cooperate.[37] Lyudmyla Denisova, the Ombudsman of Ukraine, stated that this referendum would be illegal because "under Ukrainian law any issues over territory can only be resolved by a nationwide referendum".[38] Later that day, the Kherson Oblast Council passed a resolution stating that the proposed referendum would be illegal.[39]
On 13 March, Ukrayinska Pravda, a Ukrainian newspaper, reported that several thousand people in Kherson took part in a protest.[40] Russian soldiers dispersed the protest with gunfire, stun grenades, and rubber bullets, injuring several people.[41][42]
Ukrainian counteroffensive[]
On 23 March, Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks against Russian forces in Kherson Oblast.[43][44] On 25 March, a senior US defense official claimed that the Russian forces no longer had full control of Kherson as the Ukrainians fought "fiercely" to recover the city.[45] However, Ukrainians in Kherson "questioned the Pentagon’s assessment, saying that the city remained in Russian hands".[46] CNN reported the situation in the city remained unchanged, citing residents confirming Kherson was under full Russian control. According to one resident, Russian forces had only lost a few villages in the province, while CNN earlier reported the Ukrainian counteroffensive was taking place in the northernmost part of the region.[47]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Schwirtz, Michael; Pérez-Peña, Richard (2022-03-02). "First Ukraine City Falls as Russia Strikes More Civilian Targets" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html.
- ↑ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 25, 2022". February 25, 2022. https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 25, 2022". https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-25-2022.
- ↑ Schwirtz, Michael (6 March 2022). "Proud Band of Ukrainian Troops Holds Russian Assault at Bay — for Now". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-beats-russia-mykolaiv.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Ukraine loses control over crossing to Kherson" (in en). https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3412906-ukraine-loses-control-over-crossing-to-kherson.html.
- ↑ "Most Problematic Situation In South, Fierce Battles Taking Place Near Kherson – Zelenskyy" (in en). 2022-02-24. https://ukranews.com/en/news/836558-most-problematic-situation-in-south-fierce-battles-taking-place-near-kherson-zelenskyy.
- ↑ Schwirtz, Michael; Schmitt, Eric; MacFarquhar, Neil (2022-02-25). "Russia Batters Ukraine With Artillery Strikes as West Condemns Invasion" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/world/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-biden.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Battle rages for strategic bridge in southern Ukraine after days of fighting". https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/26/europe/ukraine-kherson-bridge-battle-saturday-intl/index.html.
- ↑ "Російські війська хочуть прорватися до Миколаєва, йдуть бої в околицях Чернігова" (in uk). https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/24/7325571/.
- ↑ "Імовірність прориву на Миколаїв знизилася: військові відстояли Антонівський міст" (in uk). https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3412184-imovirnist-prorivu-na-mikolaiv-znizilasa-vijskovi-vidstoali-antonivskij-mist.html.
- ↑ "Video: See aftermath of battle over key bridge in Ukraine – CNN Video". https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/02/25/kherson-bridge-ukraine-russia-fighting-aftermath-paton-walsh-intl-vpx.cnn.
- ↑ desk, The Kyiv Independent news (2022-02-24). "Russian troops moving towards town of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast." (in en-US). https://kyivindependent.com/uncategorized/russian-troops-moving-towards-town-of-nova-kakhovka-in-kherson-oblast/.
- ↑ "Soldiers Raise the Russian Flag Over Ukraine Power Plant" (in en-US). 2022-02-24. https://greekreporter.com/2022/02/24/russian-flag-ukraine-power-plant/.
- ↑ "The Kyiv Independent". https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1497483346640703489.
- ↑ "Херсон наш: на линии вышли троллейбусы, водоснабжение в обычном режиме, в бомбоубежищах родились двое малышей | Новости Одессы". https://dumskaya.net/news/herson-nash-kommunalshchiki-ubirayut-gorod-na-li-160332/.
- ↑ "Column of Russian occupiers defeated in Kherson region – Interior Ministry" (in en). https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3413646-column-of-russian-occupiers-defeated-in-kherson-region-interior-ministry.html.
- ↑ "Journalist shot dead by Russian occupiers in Kherson Region" (in en). https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3414210-journalist-shot-dead-by-russian-occupiers-in-kherson-region.html.
- ↑ "Russia claims to have besieged Ukraine's Kherson, Berdyansk" (in en-US). 2022-02-27. https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/russia-claims-to-have-besieged-ukraines-kherson-berdyansk.
- ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (27 February 2022). "Russian forces advance on Kyiv: fighting on fourth day of invasion". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/kyiv-surrounded-says-mayor-fighting-on-fourth-day-of-russian-invasion-of-ukraine.
- ↑ "Russia says it "blocks" Ukraine's Kherson, Berdyansk – RIA" (in en). Reuters. 2022-02-27. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-russia-kherson-idUKKBN2KW06V.
- ↑ CNN (2022-02-28). "Ukraine's Air Force claims successful drone strike on Russian forces near Kherson" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-28-22/h_68c032cfbfafa2620426d90e9929cd62.
- ↑ "Russian invaders plan to use Kherson residents as human shield" (in en). https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-other_news/3415386-russian-invaders-plan-to-use-kherson-residents-as-human-shield.html.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Russian military vehicles seen across Kherson after heavy shelling" (in en). 2022-03-01. https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-01-22/h_23c8bf2dfbe3ed6309a43d6864bb2bd2.
- ↑ Tamila Ivanova (March 1, 2022). "Шостий день вторгнення РФ: ситуація на Херсонщині. ТЕКСТОВА ТРАНСЛЯЦІЯ" (in uk). Suspline. https://suspilne.media/212445-persij-den-vesni-herson-ak-i-ranise-ukraina-hersonskij-miskij-golova/.
- ↑ Reuters (2022-03-01). "Russian forces have entered Kherson, says Ukrainian official" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-have-entered-kherson-says-ukrainian-official-2022-03-01/.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Eugene Shaporenko (2 March 2022). "У Херсоні ворог захопив залізничний вокзал та річковий порт" (in Ukrainian). Fakty i Kommentarii. https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/suspilstvo/20220302-u-hersoni-vorog-zahopyv-zaliznychnyj-vokzal-ta-richkovyj-port/. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ↑ "Russia says it captures Ukrainian city of Kherson -RIA" (in en). 2022-03-02. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-captures-ukrainian-city-kherson-ria-2022-03-02/.
- ↑ "Ukrainians say they are fighting on in southern city of Kherson" (in en). 2022-03-02. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-wrap-1-ukraines-besieged-cities-brace-more-russian-attacks-2022-03-02/.
- ↑ "Russia pounds Ukrainian cities as advances stall, draws UN censure". Reuters. 2022-03-02. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-wrap-10-ukrainians-say-they-are-fighting-biggest-city-yet-claimed-by-russia-2022-03-02/.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 James, Liam (2022-03-03). "Russian claims it has seized Kherson as city’s mayor agrees to curfew" (in en). https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-ukraine-kherson-take-fall-b2027325.html.
- ↑ "Kherson: Girls are asked to stay at home and not go outside. There are rape cases". Rubryka. 3 March 2022. https://rubryka.com/en/2022/03/03/herson-divchat-prosyat-zalyshatysya-vdoma-i-ne-vyhodyty-na-vulytsi-ye-fakty-nasyllya/.
- ↑ Steinbuch, Yaron (4 March 2022). "Ukrainian woman claims Russian troops raping women in Kherson". New York Post. https://nypost.com/2022/03/04/ukrainian-woman-svetlana-zorina-claims-russian-troops-raping-women-in-occupied-city-of-kherson/.
- ↑ "With fakes about the situation in Kherson, the enemy wants to cause panic and destabilization" (in en-US). 2022-03-05. https://mailbd.net/news/with-fakes-about-the-situation-in-kherson-the-enemy-wants-to-cause-panic-and-destabilization-19585/.
- ↑ "Kherson has no more armed resistance against Russia forces, mayor tells CNN". 5 March 2022. https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-05-22/h_b2041ef371d34bf604cf9cddea236bde.
- ↑ "War in Ukraine: Thousands march in Kherson against occupiers". BBC. 5 March 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60632587.
- ↑ "Shelling continues to hamper civilian flight as Kremlin decries U.S. oil sanctions". Ynet. 9 March 2022. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjj5omlbc. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ↑ "Russia plotting sham referendum to create 'Kherson People's Republic', says Ukrainian official" (in en). 2022-03-12. https://inews.co.uk/news/russia-declare-occupied-territory-kherson-peoples-republic-sham-referendum-ukrainian-official-1513759.
- ↑ AFP. "Ukraine says Russia plotting to create a pro-Moscow ‘people’s republic’ in Kherson" (in en-US). https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-says-russia-plotting-to-create-a-pro-moscow-peoples-republic-in-kherson/.
- ↑ "Ukraine: how Putin could try to split the country into regional puppet governments". The Conversation. 14 March 2022. https://theconversation.com/ukraine-how-putin-could-try-to-split-the-country-into-regional-puppet-governments-179214.
- ↑ (in Ukrainian) In Kherson, thousands of people rallied against the occupier, and the Russians opened fire, Ukrayinska Pravda (13 March 2022)
- ↑ "Russian soldiers fire on Kherson protesters" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-60827106.
- ↑ "Ukraine says Russian forces violently disperse Kherson protest" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/21/ukraine-says-russia-shoot-at-protesters-in-occupied-kherson.
- ↑ Williams, Nathan; Waterhouse, James (23 March 2022). "Ukraine changes the narrative". BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60830013?pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:f936e255-7a00-4bc1-ac94-7d9addd1bad2.
- ↑ Williams, Nathan (23 March 2022). "Where are Ukrainian forces fighting back?". BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60830013?pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:574dc326-4002-4984-9868-59ea65393cd1.
- ↑ Cooper, Helene (25 March 2022). "Russia is not in full control of Kherson anymore, the Pentagon says.". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/25/world/ukraine-russia-war/russia-kherson.
- ↑ Cooper, Helene (25 March 2022). "Conflicting reports emerge on whether Russia is still in full control of Kherson.". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/25/world/ukraine-russia-war/russia-kherson.
- ↑ "Russian military remains in full control of city of Kherson, residents say". CNN. 25 March 2022. https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-25-22/h_e5becce33053f3be8f8a27b8bf718f15.
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The original article can be found at Battle of Kherson and the edit history here.