Two years ago, units of Ukraine’s Armed Forces entered Kherson, newly liberated from Russian troops. The city, which had endured 256 days of occupation, was finally freed and celebrated its Ukrainian defenders with joy. This day marked the moment the Ukrainian flag once again flew openly in the hero city, a day when light and hope returned to the hearts of those who had waited and resisted tirelessly, even under the weight of occupation. The 256 days of darkness, courage, and defiance by the people of Kherson had come to an end.

Throughout this time, the residents of Kherson became a symbol of Ukrainian resilience. Brave men and women of Kherson remained unbroken, resisting pressure and repression, staying loyal to their country and people. Every day of their struggle brought this moment closer, and every act of defiance and support for Ukraine became part of the path to liberation.

For the Mission, Kherson has always held special significance. In this regional center, closest to Crimea, one of our offices operated after it was relocated following the peninsula’s occupation in 2014. The office has served as a point of interaction with residents of occupied Crimea, a place where international partners learned about the real situation on the occupied peninsula and the administrative border. Today, we continue to visit the office in Kherson, working toward its full resumption of operations when the security situation allows.

Since Kherson’s liberation, Russian occupiers have unleashed terror on the city and region, unable to come to terms with their defeat. Daily shelling of civilian areas has become their form of revenge: attacks on schools, hospitals, residential areas, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. The occupiers’ despair is evident in their indiscriminate brutality and desire to punish residents for their loyalty to Ukraine. Yet despite this terror, Kherson’s people continue to live, build, help each other, and remain undefeated, showing the world that Ukraine is strong, resilient, and invincible.

The liberation of Kherson is yet another step toward our shared goal. The Ukrainian military and state work tirelessly to reclaim all territories, and we believe that soon Crimea will be freed, and the Mission’s office will once again open in Simferopol.

Let this day remind us all of the power of unity among the people, of the courage shown by the people of Kherson, and of the hope that soon the Ukrainian flag will fly over every city still awaiting freedom—Melitopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol, Sevastopol, and Yalta.