Kherson

Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine, serving as the administrative center of Kherson Oblast. Located on the right bank of the Dnieper River, near its mouth on the Black Sea, it is a major port and shipbuilding center.

Founded in 1778 by Grigory Potemkin on the orders of Empress Catherine the Great, Kherson was intended as a key naval base and shipyard for the Russian Empire's Black Sea Fleet. The city's name derives from Chersonesus, an ancient Greek colony in Crimea.

Throughout the 19th century, Kherson developed as a significant trade and industrial hub, exporting grain and other agricultural products. Following the Russian Revolution, it became part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union.

After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, Kherson became an important economic and cultural center within the newly independent nation. Key industries included shipbuilding, food processing, and machine building. The city also possesses several universities and cultural institutions.

In March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kherson became the first major city to fall under Russian control. The city was subsequently occupied until its liberation by Ukrainian forces in November 2022. The period of occupation was marked by significant challenges for the civilian population. Following liberation, Kherson has been subject to ongoing shelling and attacks from Russian forces positioned on the opposite bank of the Dnieper River. The damage to infrastructure and the ongoing security situation have significantly impacted the city's population and economy.