ukrainian flags and strangers were hugging soldiers. nbc news chief foreign correspondent, richard engel was there today when president zelenskyy made a surprise visit to the newly-liberated city. [speaking non-english] they re celebrating in kherson because now they are free. president zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to the unannounced city. a risky trip, russian troops are still close by. how are you feeling today? are you feeling? very well today. how is this moment for you? the moment is very important, that is the biggest city to us since 20th of february. so that was the biggest city and now it s free. so ukraine came, so i m happy, thank you. in kherson, now, it s victory day, all day. and the troops are the heroes. alexei olson was getting hawks and giving autographs and pockets full of candy. now people are happy.
thank you. in kherson, now, it s victory day, all day. and the troops are the heroes. alexei olson was getting hawks and giving autographs and pockets full of candy. now people are happy. they understand that life is coming back. next to him is steve andriy, an american veteran volunteering in ukraine s army. thank you, a woman says, to him. we were waiting for you. and suddenly, your hair. as an american, what is it like to be here, sharing in this moment? it s incredible. i mean, you kind of feel like a rock star. you are walking into paris after not seize after world war ii. andre signs autographs to. as an incoming russian round explodes in the distance. there is still no power or water. basic supplies have to be trucked in. but it s a world better than occupation when ukrainians songs and flags were forbidden, making each verse, now, a little victory. president putin vowed that