Russian forces destroyed vital infrastructure in Kherson before withdrawing from the southern Ukrainian city, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today, stressing that local authorities had begun to restore stability in the city.

Jubilant residents welcomed Ukrainian military forces who entered the center of Kherson on Friday, after Russia withdrew from the only regional capital of Ukraine it had seized since the start of the war.

“Before fleeing Kherson, the occupiers destroyed all vital infrastructure: communications, water supply, heating, electricity,” Zelensky said in a videotaped speech.

“(The Russians) everywhere have the same goal: to humiliate people as much as possible. But we will restore everything, believe me,” continued the Ukrainian president.

Zelensky reported that Ukrainian troops have taken control of more than 60 settlements in Kherson province.

“The police have started taking stabilization measures. Stabilization measures are also underway in Kherson,” he added.