Russia sends forces to Mariupol for Victory Day parade, Ukraine rescues troops trapped in Azovstal

The announcement comes on the eve of military parades scheduled to take place across Ukraine and Russia to mark the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published a list of more than 200 senior Russian military officials sent to Mariupol to monitor the security situation.

Officials say that President Putin will use the parade as an attempt to demonstrate his military success in eastern Ukraine despite fierce fighting continuing in the region.

Last month, Mr. Putin declared victory in Mariupol despite the fact that Russia has not completely occupied the city.

Fighting continues at the last stronghold of the Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol below the Azovstal steel plant, where an estimated 200 civilians and soldiers are still entrenched.

Ukrainian troops have refused to surrender and fears are growing that Russian forces will completely wipe out any remaining entrenched entrants during the May 9 parade.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a late-night speech that he was continuing to push for the Russians to implement the ceasefire and allow the evacuation of the remaining Ukrainians.

“We are also studying diplomatic options to save our troops, who are still in Azovstal,” Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Friday that 50 women, children and elderly civilians had been evacuated from the tunnels.

However, Ukraine said that dozens of others could not be rescued due to Russia’s continued attacks on the plant.

Ukraine’s presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych announced that Russian troops are trying to destroy the last remaining pockets of resistance in Mariupol before the May 9 military parade, Reuters reported on Saturday.