Some reprieve for the beleaguered Ukranian city of Mykolajiv

Reporting from Mykolajiv today.
This city in southern Ukraine is of immense strategic importance. Whoever controls Mykolajiv, controls the crucial port of Odesa. If the Russians succeed in conquering Odesa, they reach one of their original goals in this war: total control of the Black Sea Coast in Ukraine.
In the first few weeks of the war, Mykolajiv was attacked from all sides. At one point the Russians were on the outskirts of the city. In the following months, Mykolajiv was being hit by artillery fire on a daily basis.
As we all know the war has been tougher for the Russians than they expected. They have focussed most of their forces on the battle in Donbas in eastern Ukraine. They even have started diverting Russian troops from the occupied city of Kherson, which is 80 kilometres from Mykolajiv.
The Ukrainians spotted an opportunity here. They started a counter-offensive to push the Russians further and further away from Mykolajiv. In recent weeks they have liberated several towns and villages around Mykolajiv.
The nearest Russian position is 40 kilometres from Mykolajiv. Russian artillery fire can’t reach the city centre anymore. For the first time in months, there have been no explosions. We spent all day in Mykolajiv and not once did the air raid alarm sound. This has given a welcome reprieve to the citizens of the city and a well-deserved time to relax.