ZAPORIZHZHIA: Russian forces unleashed new bombardments across the country ahead of Victory Day festivities in Moscow, as Ukraine tried to evacuate more civilians from a besieged Mariupol steel plant on Saturday.

The Azovstal steel mill is the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the devastated port city and its fate has taken on a symbolic value in the broader battle since Russia’s invasion.

Fighting continues on many fronts, and Ukraine’s defence ministry said it had destroyed another Russian warship — a Serna-class landing craft — in the Black Sea. “The traditional parade of the Russian Black Sea fleet on May 9 this year will be held near Snake Island — at the bottom of the sea,” the ministry added.

On Monday, President Vladimir Putin will celebrate the World War II Soviet victory over Nazi Germany with a traditional Victory Day parade when 77 aircraft will conduct a flypast, including the rarely-seen Il-80 Doomsday plane that can withstand a nuclear attack.

Ukrainian forces have launched a counter-offensive of their own. According to British intelligence, Ukrainian forces equipped with high-end weaponry by the western allies, have been able to destroy at least one of Russia’s most advanced tanks, the T-90M.

The West, meanwhile, is stepping up arms deliveries to Ukraine’s defenders, as US President Joe Biden on Friday announced another package of military assistance worth $150 million, bringing the total value of US weaponry sent to Ukraine to $3.8bn.

Earlier on Friday, US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a phone call, underscored their commitment to holding Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine and discussed efforts to provide security assistance to Ukraine, the White House said in a statement.

Also on Saturday, Russia’s most senior lawmaker accused Washington of coordinating military operations in Ukraine, which he said amounted to direct US involvement in military action against Russia.

“Washington is essentially coordinating and developing military operations, thereby directly participating in military actions against our country,” Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2022