missiles in ukraine, and they re largely stalled in several parts of the country, including the southern city of mykolaiv. that s where ukrainian troops are holding their ground, delaying a russian advance. it does, though, come at a heavy cost. the loss of soldiers, many of them volunteers, men under the age of 60 who answered the call to defend their country. cnn s ben wedeman is in mykolaiv and joins us now. ben, what have you been seeing? reporter: well, what we ve seen, anderson, is that this city was really the russian forces were just on the outskirts of it only a few days ago. since then they ve been repulsed, but for one mother, it was done at a very high price. lord have mercy goes the hymn s refrain. another family drinks of war s bitter dredges.