President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, speaking about the liberation of Kherson and the situation in energy and restoration works.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

Strong people of our indomitable, beautiful, united country!

Today is a historic day. We are returning the south of our country, we are returning Kherson. As of now, our defenders are at the approaches to the city, there's still just a little bit more and we start moving in. But special units are already in the city.

Kherson residents waited. They never gave up on Ukraine. Hope for Ukraine was always justified, and Ukraine always returns its own.

I am happy to see how people, despite all threats, despite repression and abuse by the occupiers, preserved Ukrainian flags, believed in Ukraine...

And even when the city is not yet fully cleared of enemy presence, Kherson residents themselves are already cleaning up Russian symbols and any traces of the occupation from the streets and buildings.

The same was true for all other cities liberated by our defenders. The same will be for those cities that still await our return. Ukraine will come to all its people. Thanks to our strength on the battlefield and in diplomacy, we will restore territorial integrity of our state.

Thank you to every soldier and every unit of the defense forces ensuring the conduct of this offensive operation in the south today. To everyone — from privates to generals. Armed Forces, intelligence, Security Service of Ukraine, National Guard — all who brought today's day for Kherson region. We will soon name all the surnames of heroes. And their rewards are already waiting.

Soon after our defense forces reach designated lines, stabilization measures will begin in Kherson as they did everywhere else. We systematically eliminate threats.

First — mines. The occupiers left a lot of mines and explosive devices, especially on vital objects. We will clear them.

Very important: right now, while demining has not even started, we cannot ensure access for media representatives to Kherson. Basic communications need to be cleared, key facilities need to be checked.

We will restore all conditions of normal life — as much as possible.

Right behind our defenders come police officers, sappers, rescuers, energy workers... Medicine returns, communication, social services return... Life returns.

I want to specifically mention for those Russian soldiers, mercenaries and collaborators who were abandoned in Kherson and other southern cities. Your only chance at salvation is to surrender to Ukrainian custody. We guarantee treatment according to the law and international norms. And to those Russian military personnel who changed into civilian clothes and are hiding somewhere — I would like to say that you will not hide. We will find you all. Do not delay this. Voluntarily coming into Ukrainian custody — this is the only option for all occupiers.

I chaired another meeting of the General Headquarters today. First and foremost — the situation at the front, naturally with an emphasis on developments in the south. But we do not reduce our attention to other directions either. We are advancing everywhere, strengthening positions everywhere. Holding lines in Donetsk.

Separately at the headquarters, we reviewed the energy situation and the progress of restoration work. Last night, occupiers delivered another strike on our critical infrastructure. That's why partial power outages were applied this morning and during the day in parts of the country. But most cities and regions managed to return to a schedule of stabilization power restrictions.

And we are working as actively as possible to strengthen our ability to protect the sky and restore everything that occupiers, unfortunately, destroyed.

I spoke today with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. I informed him about the situation in Kherson, generally on the front. Thanked for another step in defensive support, agreed on further development of such cooperation.

Of course, we discussed preparations for the G20 summit. Clearly, Russia does not think about peace. Another terrorist attack on Mykolaiv, destruction by a Russian missile of an apartment building — this is a clear proof that what really worries Russia is how to inflict maximum damage... Not how to start real negotiations, but how to hit Ukraine with a rocket or drone so that Ukrainians suffer...

Well, Ukraine and the world have the power to punish terrorists for everything done and restore peace. Peace on our terms.

On our fundraising platform United24, a collection of funds has started for the creation of a fleet of maritime drones. I announced that this would be happening. So now everyone — not only in Ukraine but also in other countries — can join the construction of the world's first fleet of maritime drones. That which will give security to our sea area.

The first maritime drone, for which funds were collected in less than an hour, was named "Kherson." Quite logically. The second maritime drone we will name "Sevastopol." I believe that all this is approaching and the time of freeing our Crimea.

Met with a Lithuanian delegation led by Speaker of Seimas Viktorija Čėsauskaitė-Kundrotė. Symbolically, her name is Victoria. And she's here on such a day. Thanked Lithuanian friends for help, for defensive support we have received since the beginning of Russian aggression. Discussed a wide range of topics: further cooperation in defense and our reconstruction, European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

And one more thing.

Today 45 Ukrainian defenders were released from Russian custody, all — soldiers and sergeants of the Armed Forces.

Remembering all our heroes who are still in captivity. We will return each and every one. Our team — Budanov, Yermak, Ussov, Maliuk, Lubinec and others — works every day to free all our people from Russian custody.

Sincerely thank you to everyone who cares about Ukraine!

Glory to each and every one fighting for freedom!

Eternal memory to all whose lives were taken by the occupiers.

Glory to Ukraine!"