Many soldiers from the southern port city of Kherson spent months trying to liberate their homes. The Russian retreat last week was a major blow to Moscow's war effort.

Catch up on key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Last month, Ukrainian forces pushed the Russians out of the village of Mala Rohan. NPR goes inside the warehouse Russia had used as temporary barracks.

Military experts say Russia would face stronger resistance from Ukraine than it did when it annexed the Crimean Peninsula seven years ago