Zelensky: Kherson's release marks the last “start of the war with Russia”

Ukraine is “moving ahead of” and ready for peace, he told soldiers.

The loss of the southern town was a major obstacle to Russia, although Moscow insists it remains Russian territory.

Russia declared it the centre of the illegally annexed Kherson region and was the only regional capital to have been occupied since the invasion.

Khherson was conquered in March, a few weeks after the invasion began. The region was then one of four illegally annexed after the so-called referenda in September.

At a ceremony in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the annexation of Luhansk, Donesk, Zaporizhija and Kherson was “non-negotiable”. Russia still invades the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, conquered in 2014.

In recent weeks Ukraine has made profit in the south of the country, advancing towards Kherson and putting Russian forces under increased pressure.

Last week, Russian forces withdrew and Ukrainian troops entered the city on Friday.

The locals were seen celebrating, some reunited with loved ones they had not seen for months. The situation in the city was joy and relief, but also a thrill, the BBC's Jeremy Boeen reported.

During his visit Monday, Zelensky sang Ukraine's national anthem as the country's flag was raised on the main administrative building.