For the Ukrainian soldiers fighting to retake ground in the wheat fields and empty villages northwest of the city of Kherson, the liberation of one of Ukraine¡¯s most strategically important Black Sea cities feels tantalisingly close.

¡°We could be in Kherson in 15 minutes!¡± said Sergiy, a Ukrainian army officer in trenches along the deserted motorway between the city of Mykolaiv and Kherson. Part of the dugout was plastered with children¡¯s pictures promising ¡°Glory to Ukraine!¡±

¡°The south is ready, we¡¯re just waiting for the hardware ... just waiting for the command,¡± he said, declining to give his surname as he was not authorized to speak to reporters.