One year after liberation, Ukrainians in Kherson hold on to hope amid constant shelling

One year since Ukraine retook the city of Kherson from occupying Russian forces, residents have grown accustomed to hearing outgoing fire from the left bank of the Dnieper river, where Russian troops are positioned. Municipal workers wear bullet-proof vests and wait to be dispatched to sweep up the rubble from yet another impact. Between lulls of artillery fire coming from the river, which marks the contact line between battling armies in the Kherson region, Ukrainians venture out to buy food, bicycle down grassy residential lanes or convene in the few restaurants that dare to remain open.