We had permission to be there, but the soldiers were unhappy and all those permissions had to be rechecked. The Ukrainian government and military have imposed an almost total blackout on information about the southern counteroffensive targeting the Russian-held city of Kherson. Image: Ukrainians shooting in southern Ukraine Putin to address nation for first time since invasion – live updates We watched as dozens of trucks, wagons, tanks and general materials passed by. We couldn’t film, you can’t at the checkpoints anyway – that’s the rule. To the left of the crossroads, I could see dust rising above the wheat fields, indicating a large convoy. Turning onto the road came a line of huge trucks, each carrying a payload of Western-supplied weapons systems. Their cargo is the reason even Ukraine’s counterattacks in the north and south have happened. We couldn’t turn around, but we could see them go by. The systems are here and active. The southern attack is proving more difficult than the northern blitzkrieg attack, there are a few reasons for this and they are quite simple. Image: Major Serhii Tsehotskii checks on Lyuba and her husband Leonil First, the Russians knew it was coming, and therefore, they are prepared and strengthening their positions. Second, Kherson, the only city they have captured, is in many ways a gateway to the Crimea and a land bridge to Russia. Russia cannot afford to lose this, so they are fighting hard to defend their lines. And thirdly, and this is the Ukrainian problem, the ground is dead and infantry movements are potentially lethal because there is nowhere to cover, so the battlefield is dominated by artillery and rockets. The sound of explosions is continuous. Driving through these lowlands is eerie and downright scary. The way to the front is the supply line. They are a constant target, and both sides routinely attack supply lines. Image: Said Ismalihov Tank battalions maneuver to the front line to support the infantry. Behind them the main defensive line is held by miles of dug-in and camouflaged tank and artillery emplacements. Their job is to fight off any sudden Russian counterattack. We watch as they load their tanks with personalized shells. From “Mykola to Moskals” it says – gift of Ukrainians to Russians. This attack has a cost in lost lives. Two doctors preparing for their shift rescuing wounded at the front told us that casualties can sometimes be very high. The reason is simple, they say, the Russians knew they were coming. “What we know for sure is that after a successful counterattack in the direction of Kharkiv, the Russians are trying to cut off all options for an advance to the Crimea,” Said Ismalikhov told me, before speeding off to the front. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:23 What will the Russian forces do next? Read more: Bodies of Ukrainian troops ‘thrown like dogs in ditch’ Navalny says alleged recruitment of Russian prisoners is like ‘Suicide Squad’ Major Serhii Tsehotskii is an area commander along these battle lines and hails from Crimea. He is a businessman by trade, but rejoined the army after the Russian invasion began in February. The 55-year-old’s family is now in Britain. His wife, daughter and grandson live in London after being evacuated at the start of the war. His brother and son are here fighting with him. The major wants to keep an eye on the civilians left behind during all the battles. Sixty-year-old Lyuba goes out to meet him. They hug each other and she calls her husband Leonil to say hello. Lyuba is in high spirits, she says they managed to get out of their basement in the last few days. He smells the air. “What does it smell like? Try it. What? Tell me, what does it smell like?” she asks. “Like victory!” he shouts. “And you want me to leave. Why should I? Why should I? No, no. It won’t work like that. I’ll wait here,” he says defiantly. “Anyway, they will be defeated soon, soon.” Lyuba like all Ukrainians is optimistic, but the noises from the Kremlin are ominous. This conflict could so easily escalate. And that means no one here is safe.
