MOST of the citizens of Kherson are Russian. The population was roughly 200k.

About 40% of the population left prior to recent events... And most of these refugees were NOT Russian or Russian friendly.

Of the remaining 60% population, some 120k pro-Russians were evacuated behind Russian lines because they knew when the Russians retreated, they would be severely punished by the returning citizens/ forces. The Russian troops would no longer be able to intervene in what has been a history of Russian-abuse in the region.

So whatever rag-tag pro-Ukie pro-NAZI remnants remained show up in celebration. Hardly thousands.