This is the beginning of the end, Zelensky tells freed Kherson

VOLODYMYR Zelensky has paid a rousing visit to Kherson, where he announced the city’s liberation marks ‘the beginning of the end of the war’.

But the Ukrainian president also spoke of the horrors the Russians left behind. There are thousands of booby traps in the southern city and Mr Zelensky said more than 400 war crimes have already been discovered.

He was seen singing the national anthem with his hand on his heart as troops raised the Ukrainian flag over the city square yesterday.

Addressing soldiers, Mr Zelensky (above centre) said: ‘This is the beginning of the end of the war.

‘We are, step by step, coming to all the temporarily occupied territories. We are ready for peace, peace for all our country, all our territories.’ He waved to residents who saluted him from their windows and yelled: ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ Troops responded: ‘Glory to the heroes!’

It came hours after warnings of stranded Russians dressed as civilians acting as saboteurs. The security service yesterday confirmed it had arrested one who ‘tried to pretend to be local’.

The leader also spoke of atrocities committed during eight months of occupation. In a video address on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said: ‘Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes, and the bodies of both civilians and military personnel have been found. We will find and bring to justice every murderer.’

Russian forces still occupy 70 per cent of the area. Yesterday Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said: ‘The coming months will be difficult. Putin’s aim is to leave Ukraine cold and dark this winter. We should not make the mistake of underestimating Russia.’