FACT CHECK: Did Ukraine Defeat The Russians In Kherson?

A video shared on Facebook claims the Ukrainian army defeated the Russian military in Kherson, Ukraine and liberated the city.

Verdict: False

While the Ukrainians have taken back parts of the Kherson region, the city itself remains under Russian occupation.

Fact Check: 

Kherson was captured by Russian forces March 2, approximately one week after the invasion of Ukraine began, according to Reuters. As of June 1, approximately 20 percent of Ukraine was under Russian control, Al-Jazeera reported.

The Facebook video, viewed over 49,000 times, claims Ukrainian forces recently defeated Russian forces in the city. “Huge Victory – Russian 3rd army DEFEATED by Ukrainian armed forces in Kherson,” the post’s caption claims. “Kherson liberated from Russian invade,” reads text included in the video’s preview. (RELATED: Did Ukraine Destroy ‘Hundreds’ Of Tanks In Kharkiv?)

These claims are inaccurate. While some areas in the Kherson region have been liberated, according to Reuters, the city of Kherson remains in Russian hands, the outlet reported. Check Your Fact found no credible news reports suggesting Ukrainian forces have liberated the city itself or the entire Oblast.

The acting head of Kherson’s Oblast Military administration, Dmytro Butrii, told the Ukrainian Pravda that 44 settlements and villages in the Kherson Oblast have been liberated, but the situation remained “Extremely difficult.” A detailed map of the territorial situation on the ground in Kherson Oblast can be found on the Institute for the Study of War’s website.

The Russians have not been defeated in the region but continue to battle with the Ukrainians, according to The New York Times. Ukraine is reportedly preparing for a summer counteroffensive in the southern portion of the country to reclaim lost land, CBC News reported.

This is not the first time misinformation regarding the Ukraine conflict has spread on social media. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim suggesting Ukrainian forces destroyed “hundreds of T-80BV” tanks in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

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