Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that his country's military is trying to retake territory from Russia in the southern region of Kherson and elsewhere.

Zelenskyy said in his latest video message on Thursday, "Today we have good news from the south."

He said, "The number of Ukrainian flags returning to their rightful place in the framework of the ongoing defense operation is already dozens." He added, "41 settlements were liberated."

Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov told Reuters that many Russian troops have yet to withdraw from the western side of the Dnipro River, including the capital of the Kherson region.

The Russian military is said to have begun withdrawing troops to the other side of the river.

Reznikov said there are approximately 40,000 Russian personnel in the Kherson district and they have also been seen on the western bank of the Dnipro River.

He said, "It's not that easy to withdraw these troops from Kherson during one day or two days," and that at least one week will be needed.