Ukraine proclaimed an “important victory” today as its forces entered the city of Kherson to be met by cheering residents waving flags.

Russia said that it had completed its withdrawal from the southern Ukrainian city and surrounding territory west of the Dnieper river, in one of President Putin’s most humiliating defeats since the start of the invasion in February.

Ukraine’s defence ministry confirmed that the army was entering Kherson. In a message to Russian soldiers a spokesman said: “Kherson is returning to Ukraine’s control, units of the Ukrainian armed forces are entering the city. The routes of retreat for the Russian occupiers are under bombardment of the Ukrainian army. Any Russian servicemen who offers resistance will be destroyed.