Russia's retreat from the southern city marked the close of one of the most hard-fought battles of the war so far and a major defeat for Vladimir Putin, who just two months ago announced the annexation of Kherson.Locals tore down Russian propaganda billboards, including "Russia here forever" that was plastered across the region, and raised Ukrainian flags as they waited for advancing Ukrainian troops.One video showed residents, many draped in the yellow and blue of their national flag, chanting “Slava do ZSU” – glory to the Ukrainian Armed Forces – as the first troops arrived outside Kherson’s regional administration building.pic.twitter.com/e7Elxhxbbp — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 11, 2022 One female soldier was held aloft by the adoring crowd, while a colleague was given kisses as he posed for selfies under the Ukrainian flag.Earlier Russia’s ministry said it had destroyed the last road bridges over the Dnipro river, which bisects Ukraine, as its forces completed their withdrawal."