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Three years after Russia’s retreat, civilians in Kherson are still living under constant fire See photos showing life in the city over the past year
Source: Meduza
On November 9, 2022, Ukraine’s counteroffensive forced Russia to withdraw its troops from Kherson after eight months of occupation. Although the city returned to Ukrainian control, three years on, its residents are still living in frontline conditions. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed and continue to come under Russian strikes and drone attacks, making it impossible to restore damaged infrastructure. About 60,000 people remain in the city, trying to preserve a semblance of normal life. To mark the third anniversary of Kherson’s liberation, Meduza shares photographs taken there over the past year.
Overturned and damaged cars on a street in Kherson. February 11, 2025.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Municipal workers clear rubble near a bombed-out building. March 2025.
Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
Rescue workers and medics assist people injured in a Russian strike in the early hours of February 20. Russian forces dropped guided bombs on the city, completely destroying a section of an apartment building. Six people were injured.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Rescue workers evacuate Anna, an elderly Kherson resident. February 11, 2025.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Kherson residents after a Russian airstrike on a residential neighborhood. Two women were injured. February 2, 2025.
Ivan Antypenko / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Volunteers clear debris after a Russian artillery strike on central Kherson. February 11, 2025.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
A woman cleans her damaged apartment. February 11, 2025.
Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Kherson residents in a hospital set up in an underground bomb shelter. March 19, 2025.
Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
July 2025
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
A Kherson resident runs to catch a trolleybus. May 2025.
Ivan Antypenko / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
People walk down a Kherson street. May 2025.
Ivan Antypenko / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
The Kherson City Administration building, destroyed by a Russian strike. June 5, 2025.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Kherson residents clean up the Central Market after another Russian artillery attack. September 9, 2025.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Valentyna, a worker at the Kherson market, clears debris. September 9, 2025.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Kherson residents wait to be resettled after Russian forces damaged a bridge on August 2, cutting off the main part of the city from the Korabelniy district. The attack left the district without gas, and many homes lost water and electricity. According to local authorities, about 300 people were evacuated. August 4, 2025.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
Kherson residents near the wreckage of a bus after an attack in which Russian aircraft dropped about 15 bombs on the city within an hour. The city center also came under artillery fire. A woman who was outside at the time was killed. September 26, 2025.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
An apartment building in the Korabelniy district damaged by heavy Russian shelling. Three civilians were killed and 17 others injured. October 24, 2025.
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
October 2025
Olexandr Kornyakov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine / Getty Images
An anti-drone net over a street in Kherson. November 2025.
Efrem Lukatsky / AP / Scanpix / LETA
