Russia-Ukraine War : Missile attacks force Charles Michel to take shelter in Odesa

European Council President Charles Michel was forced to take shelter during Odesa visit due to missile strikes. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in a post on Telegram said that his 9 meeting with Charles Michel was interrupted due to a missile attack, The Kyiv Independent reported. Both leaders remained unharmed in the incident.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin held talks with Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov. During the talks, Austin highlighted the US President Joe Biden's announcement of 150 million in Presidential Drawdown Authority to provide Ukrainian forces with artillery, electronic jammic equipment. Reznikov briefed Austin about the ongoing situation on the ground in Eastern Ukraine. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video address said that Ukraine has submitted the second part of the answers to the questionnaire that needs to be completed by the country aspiring to be part of the European Union. He called it a "very important step" on the path to Ukraine's integration with European Union. 

"Today, we have taken another step - a very important and not just a formal step - on our path to the European Union. Ukraine has submitted the second part of the answers to a special questionnaire to be completed by each country aspiring to be part of the European Union. It usually takes months. But we did everything in a few weeks. This is a document that contains thousands of pages," Zelenskyy said in the video address. 

He spoke about EU Council Charles Michel's visit to Ukraine's Odesa. Zelenskyy highlighted that Michel witnessed what the blck sea means and it is for the first time in decades that there is no movement of the merchant fleet. He also shared details regarding his talks with EU Council President and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a virtual meeting with European Council President Charles Michel who visited Odesa. The meeting was also attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. During the meeting, Zelenskyy congratulated Michel on the anniversary of the victory in World War II and thanked him for his visit to Ukraine, according to statement released by the Ukrainian President's office. Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of preventing the food crisis which could be caused due to Russian military offensive and said that they were waiting for the adoption of the next packages of sanctions against Russia. He even thanked Charles Michel for supporting Ukraine on its path to European integration. Charles Michel assured Zelenskyy that the European Union will continue to provide monetary and defence assistance to Ukraine and EU Council will consider Ukraine's application for EU candidate status in June. 
 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed gratitude to his US counterpart Joe Biden for supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom. He called the signing of the law on Lend-Lease a "historic step." Taking to his official Twitter handle, Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Ukraine will win the war and defend democracy. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. During the telephonic conversation, the two leaders discussed cooperation in the energy sector and strengthening defence support in the fight against the Russian armed forces. Zelenskyy and Andersson also exchanged views on strengthening sanctions against Russia. 

Ukraine has claimed that Russian forces have increased the number of missile carriers present in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian armed forces on Wednesday, May 4, had said that Russia had three missile carriers present in the Black Sea, The Kyiv Independent reported. However, Ukraine's Defence Ministry has reported that Russia has 7 Kalibr missile carriers in the Black Sea. According to Ukraine, these 7 carriers of Kalibr missiles in the Black Sea have the ability to fire up to 50 missiles. 

US President Joe Biden signed a  S. 3522, the “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act Of 2022” bill that will reportedly allow Washington to provide military equipment to Ukraine more quickly. He stated that the bill will be "important tool" in their efforts to support Ukraine as they defend their country against the Russian military offensive, according to the statement released by the White House. He thanked members of Congress for getting the bill passed and everyone who supported the bill.

"I’m signing a bill that provides another important tool in our efforts to support the government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their fight to defend their country and their democracy against Putin’s brutal war.  And it is brutal," Joe Biden said. 

Taking to his official Twitter handle, EU Council President informed about his visit to Odesa to celebrate Europe Day and recalled Pushkin's statement in the city when he had said, "you can feel Europe." He said that Ukrainians have been protecting their monuments from bullets and freedom from Russian armed forces. 

An air raid alert has been sounded in Kyiv and many other parts of Ukraine, Nexta reported.

On Monday, Ukraine completed the 2nd part of the questionnaire to obtain the status of a candidate for the European Union. 

In St.Petersburg, municipal deputy Sergei Samusev was detained, allegedly because he tried to participate in the "Immortal Regiment" with a portrait of a prisoner of Nazi concentration camps who died in Kharkiv from Russian bombing.

Ukrainian athletes have already won 77 medals — 39 gold, 16 silver, and 22 bronze — in the 2021 Summer Deaflympics. The 2021 Games are being held in Caxias Do Sul, Brazil, on May 1-15, 2022.

According to Sloviansk Mayor Vadym Lyakh, Russian forces targeted the central part of the city on May 9. No casualties have been reported yet.

While laying flowers at the cemetery of Soviet soldiers, the Russian ambassador to Poland was doused with red paint  on Monday. 

During a military parade to mark the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia's troops in Ukraine were "fighting for the motherland, its future. Putin accused the West of preparing the ground for "an invasion of our land" and said NATO was an "obvious threat to Russia."

However, Putin stuck with the phrase he's been using since Feb. 24 to describe Russia's invasion of Ukraine – a "special military operation" that was necessary to ensure Russia's security.

While Putin laid down flowers to the city of Odesa at the Victory Ceremony in Moscow, four Oniks rockets were fired at the Odesa region from the territory of annexed Crimea.

On May 9, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Monday that conquering Russia's army is very achievable, while urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept that Moscow has lost in the long run.

"It is very possible that Ukraine will break the Russian army to the extent that they either have to go back to pre-February or they have to effectively fold in on itself. He (Putin) must come to terms with how he's lost in the long run, and he's absolutely lost. Russia is not what it was," Wallace claimed addressing an audience at London's National Army Museum.

The Swedish Social Democratic Party, which controls the government, will decide on May 15 whether to end the country's decades-long opposition to NATO membership, the European Pravda reported.

"What will be the decision has not been decided yet today. Our message is that on May 15 there will be a decision on which the party leadership will take a position," Tobias Baudin, Secretary of the Social Democrats stated.

According to the New York Times, the Russian President's invasion has crept into the lives of Russian-speaking children across Europe, who have found themselves paying for Putin's aggression in humiliation, harassment, and bullying.

As per reports, US President Joe Biden will approve the Lend-Lease Act for Ukraine today at 9:45 PM (Kyiv time). 

UK defence secretary Ben Wallace has accused leaders of Russia’s armed forces of “amorality and corruption” and said the conflict in Ukraine brings “dishonour”, according to The Guardian, In his speech to at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, south-west London, Wallace said, "Really what President Putin wants is the Russian people and the world to be awed and intimidated by the ongoing memorial to militarism. I believe the ongoing und unprovoked conflict in Ukraine does nothing but dishonour those same soldiers.”

Image credit: AP

According to Interfax, Russia has been expelled from International Gas Union as the Moscow-Kyiv war continues for the 75th day. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "We saw how the military infrastructure was unfolding, how hundreds of foreign advisers began to work, there were regular deliveries of the most modern weapons from NATO countries. The danger grew every day. Russia gave a preemptive rebuff to aggression. It was a forced, timely and only right decision - the decision of a sovereign , a strong, independent country."

Promoting Russia as a multi-ethnic nation, Vladimir Putin also said on Monday, "Shoulder to shoulder, soldiers and officers, are standing here from many regions of our huge motherland, including those who arrived here straight from Donbas directly from the war zone.

"We remember how Russia’s enemy tried to use against us the gangs of international terrorism. They tried to sow international and religious enmity to break us, to weaken us from inside, but they failed," he said.

"Today our warriors of different ethnicities are fighting together in the battle. They shield each other from bullets and fragments and shrapnel, really as brothers, and this is the strength of Russia. The unbeatable strength of our multi-ethnic nation," he added.

Additionally, Putin said that losses to Russia’s military forces are “a tragedy for us all” but “an irreplaceable loss to their families”. He also wished a speedy recovery to the people and their families. Putin even addressed the soldiers fighting in the Donbas region while saying that they are fighting on their land to defend Russia.

"Nobody will forget the lessons of the second world war so that there will be no place in the world for punishers and Nazis," Putin said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday posted his own address commemorating 'Victory Day' and said, "We are fighting for our children freedom, and therefore we will win. We will never forget what our ancestors did in the World War II, which killed more than eight million Ukrainians. Very soon there will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. And someone won't have any. We won then. We will win now. And Khreshchatyk will see the victory parade – the Victory of Ukraine!
Happy Victory over Nazism Day! Glory to Ukraine!"

Putting a rest to the widespread speculations, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday concluded his 'Victory Day' address without mentioning any declaration of war in Ukraine or general mobilisation of its forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday claimed that his country is fighting 'in its own soil'. He also informed that American veterans were not allowed to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow.

In other remarks during the 'Victory Day' speech, Putin said "our duty is to do everything so that the horror of a global war does not happen again." He also alluded to the conflict in Ukraine and said "Russia gave a preemptive rebuff to aggression -- it was a forced and sovereign decision.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state-run news agency RIA Novosti that the air portion of the Victory Day parade in Moscow was cancelled because of the weather.  According to CNN, the parade was expected to show 77 aircraft flying over Moscow's Red Square, commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union defeating Nazi Germany in World War II.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has started delivering remarks after the military parade on 'Victory Day'.

The military parade started in Russia on Victory Day on Monday to mark the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War, state reports. 

Japan will embargo Russian crude oil imports “in principle” as part of the decision taken by the Group of Seven (G7) nations to deter Russian military aggression in Ukraine, said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida following an online meeting of G7 leaders on Sunday. He also underscored that the “unity of G7 is essential”, apparently referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war which has continued now for 75 days. 

While addressing the reporters, Kishida said on Monday, “The unity of the G7 is essential at this time and based on the G7 leaders’ statement, we decided to take measures to embargo Russian oil in principle”.

Japanese PM said that it was a “tough decision” as Tokyo “relies on imports for the majority of its energy resources.” However, Kishida did not provide a timeline for Japan’s embargo on Russian oil imports. His remarks came in the backdrop of G7 countries stating in a joint statement that they plan to either phase out or ban the import of Russian oil. 
 

In latest intelligence update, UK Ministry of Defence on Monday said, "At the onset of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia publicly promoted its ability to conduct surgical strikes and limit collateral damage. It stated that Ukrainian cities would therefore be safe from bombardment."

"However, as the conflict continues beyond Russian pre-war expectations, Russia’s stockpile of precision-guided munitions has likely been heavily depleted," it said while adding, "This has forced the use of readily available but ageing munitions that are less reliable, less accurate and more easily intercepted. Russia will likely struggle to replace the precision weaponry it has already expended."

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has revealed shortcomings in its ability to conduct precision strikes at scale. Russia has subjected Ukraine’s towns and cities to intense and indiscriminate bombardments with little or no regard for civilian casualties," it added.

As per reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to make 'Victory day' announcements after the military parade ends at 12 PM (local time). The West has previously raised concerns over Kremlin using the significance of the day to either announce a General Mobilization and/or a Declaration of War against Ukraine or neither.

Russian media RIA  news agency carried some quotes from Kirill Stremousov who was described as the deputy chairman of the military-civilian administration in Kherson. Stremousov reportedly said 'We are not planning to hold a referendum and create a republic. Today, based on the opportunities we have, we will integrate as much as possible into the Russian Federation.'

Ukrainian Military has claimed that Russia has deployed up to 19 BTGs to Belgorod, tries to break through Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said on May 9 that the greatest activity by Russian forces is in the direction of Slobozhanske and Donetsk.

European Union's high representative for foreign policy Josep Borrell has told Financial Times that the 27-nation-bloc should seize Russian reserves to rebuild Ukraine.

Ukraine General Staff of Armed Forces on Monday warned of potential missile strikes in Ukraine ahead of Russia’s planned Victory Day parade in Moscow.  Russian troops had begun the “seizure of personal documents from the local population without good reason," Ukraine said in its latest operational briefing on Monday.

French Canadian singer Celine Dion has made the entire world groove to her soulful tracks. Her song My Heart Will Go On from the 1997 film Titanic is still fresh in the hearts of the audience.

As the entire world celebrated mother's day on 8th May 2022, to honour the selfless service and contributions of a mother, Celine Dion took to her social media handles and shared glimpses of her mother's day celebrations with her sons. Along with sharing the photo, the renowned singer talked about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and honoured all the 'courageous' moms in the world. 

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US top diplomat to Ukraine Kristina Kvien returned to Kyiv on Sunday as Russian troops retreated from the capital, allowing businesses to function. She was accompanied by a team of diplomats and security officials for the visit aimed at reestablishing the US presence in capital Kyiv. In the wake of Russia’s “unprovoked” invasion of the eastern European country, the Biden administration had shut down diplomatic services in Kyiv and relocated the embassy to the western city of Lviv.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday stated that Canada has agreed to help Kyiv in identifying and deactivating mines in Russia-occupied territories in the embattled nations. Speaking at a joint presser alongside Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Zelenskyy said, "The Russian occupiers left behind thousands of mines, thousands of streamers and shells. They threaten our people, our children. And today we have agreed to establish maximum cooperation in this direction so that there is no such "exclusion zone" left in Ukraine, which cannot be entered due to the threat of Russian mines," Ukrinform reported. 

Ukraine’s Operational Command South on Sunday claimed that Russia has deployed at least 6 ships, and 2 submarines near Ukraine in the Black Sea. In a statement, the defence officials said, the ships are combat-ready and equipped with over 50 cruise missiles. 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday called for an immediate talk between Russia and Ukraine to cease the burgeoning conflict in Ukraine. Condemning the atrocities in the war during a joint presser alongside his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau in Tehran, the Iranian FM said, “We are against the war in Ukraine, just as we are against the war in Yemen, in Afghanistan, in Syria, in Iraq, or in any other part of the world.” 

US-based weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp has reportedly doubled the production of Javelin anti-tank missiles, a significant weapon in the military aid to Ukraine. Speaking to CBS News, the CEO of Lockheed Martin,  James Taiclet said that the company aims to beef up its manufacturing to 4,000 units from 2,100 per year.

A Fiji court on Sunday halted the execution of a US warrant to seize Russia-linked superyacht worth $300 million. The yacht, Amadea, reportedly belongs to sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. The 348-foot yacht is currently under Fiji's police custody and banned from leaving the port of the Pacific nation. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to lead the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. Victory Day is an annual event in Russia celebrated on May 9 to commemorate Soviet Union's triumph over the Nazi regime. A parade marching through Moscow's Red Square is the main attraction of the day where Putin will display its military armaments, including the state-of-the-art intercontinental ballistic missiles. As per reports, the event could also see Putin formally term operations in Ukraine as war. In addition, he could also 'offer cues' to the future of the war, the Guardian reported. 

Kyiv Oblast Governor Oleksandr Pavliuk on Sunday stated that Russian troops have destroyed at least 4,000 homes in Kyiv Oblast since the beginning of the invasion on February 24. The destruction has been recorded in 46 of 69 communities, or 66.7% of the region, he added. 

Finland Minister for European Affairs and Property Management Tytti Tuppurainen on Sunday said that Finland expects a change in relations with Moscow after the country joins the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) amid the ongoing war.

"We do not expect a military attack, but we expect some kind of reaction. We are ready for all situations since the Second World War. We, of course, hope that this will not be necessary, because to behave decently and in the interests of Russia," she stated, as quoted by Ren TV. 

Over 170 civilians were successfully evacuated from the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol and have arrived in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday. As Russia’s “unprovoked” war over Ukraine entered its eleventh week, Kyiv confirmed that as many as 600 people have been evacuated so far from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. While at least 1,000 civilians were reportedly trapped inside the Soviet-era steel factory, it was confirmed that all women, children, and elderly have been successfully rescued. 

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Amid the ravaging war between Russia and Ukraine, Russia stated that its Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin visited the ruined Ukrainian city of Mariupol, News agency TASS reported on Sunday. Though Khusnullin informed about his visit to the war-ravaged regions on Sunday, the exact date of his tour was not revealed by either Khusnullin or any Russian officials. "I visited the independent regions of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic. Also, I visited Mariupol, Volnovakha, Luhansk and other cities," Khusnullin said in a post on Telegram. According to Khusnullin's statement, he also interacted with the locals and assured them of providing a better life. 

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy compared Russian President Vladimir Putin with Adolf Hitler in his "Victory Day" speech amid the ongoing Russia Ukraine war. As Europe celebrated Victory Day in Europe on May 8, to commemorate the victory over the Nazis in World War II, Zelenskyy said that Putin is trying to surpass Hitler.

Every day on May 08, together with the entire civilised world, we honour everyone who defended the planet from Nazism during World War II. Millions of lost lives, crippled destinies, tortured souls, and millions of reasons to say Evil: Never again. We knew the price our ancestors paid for this wisdom, we knew how important it is to preserve it and pass it on," Zelenskky said in his speech.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is placing global food security “under severe strain”, said the Group of Seven (G7) leaders in a joint statement. The G7 nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, also urged Russia to end its blockade and all the other activities that further impede Ukrainian food production and exports in line with its international commitments. The strong-worded statement came after the virtual meeting of G7 leaders along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy.  

G7 leaders said, “President Putin’s war against Ukraine is placing global food security under severe strain. Together with the United Nations, we call on Russia to end its blockade and all other activities that further impede Ukrainian food production and exports, in line with its international commitments.”

Amidst the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday said that their embassy in Ukraine will be reopened in the national capital Kyiv soon. The development comes after Trudeau held a surprise visit to the war-torn country, Ukraine on Sunday, May 8. The Canadian embassy was shut off earlier in February this year after the military aggression by Russian troops escalated in Ukraine. However, the Canadian Prime Minister did not reveal the exact date of the re-opening of the embassy in Kyiv.   

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Sunday welcomed the arrival of a new group of more than 170 civilians into Zaporizhzhia from the Azovstal steelworks and other areas of Mariupol. “My thoughts are with them and all the people in Ukraine who are suffering in this war,” the UN chief said. 

Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Russian attack on a school shelter in east Ukraine, which killed 60 people. “This attack is yet another reminder that in this war, as in so many other conflicts, it is civilians that pay the highest price,” Guterres' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement on behalf of the UN chief.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday stated that he strongly believes that there is "no peace under Russian dictatorship" in Ukraine. Scholz's remarks came as Germany marked the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II. 

"Ukraine will not accept that, and neither will we," Scholz said, adding that "Freedom and security will win the day – just as freedom and security triumphed over oppression, violence and dictatorship 77 years ago," German TV reported. 

Scholz said he was "convinced" that Putin "will not win" the war and "Ukraine will prevail."

As many as 60 have been confirmed dead in an attack by Russian troops in a school in Bilohorivka, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a late-night address on Sunday. The school building located about 7 miles from the frontlines in Luhansk was reportedly sheltering at least 100 civilians, head of Luhansk regional administration Serhiy Hayday said on Sunday. Two people were found dead by the rescue workers on Saturday, Novosti Donbassa reported, citing State Emergency Services of Ukraine following which the rescue operations were briefly halted. 

Japan PM Fumio Kishida on Sunday agreed to impose a ban on crude oil imports from Russia. Following a virtual meeting with the Group of Seven (G7) leaders, he stated that "We decided to take measures to embargo Russian oil in principle." Japan relied on Russia for the majority of its energy resources, which made the decision a "tough" one, Kishida said after the meeting, as quoted by CNN. Nevertheless, Kishida has not announced a timeline as to when Tokyo will cease oil imports from Russia. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday awarded Patron, a pint-size Jac terrier, with a medal of excellence for dedicated service. The canine was recognised for detecting more than 200 explosives and preventing their detonation ever since the war began on February 24. Patron’s owner, a major in the Civil Protection Service, Myhailo Iliev was also awarded by Zelenskyy. 

The stalled offensive by Russian forces has been reinforced in eastern Ukraine and elsewhere after Ukraine staged a strong defence in northeast Kharkiv, said a latest analysis by the Institute for the Study of War. the report also added that Russian forces did not make any significant advances on any axis of advance on May 8. Here are the highlights from the study by ISW. 

• Russian forces are likely amassing in Belgorod to reinforce Russian efforts in northern Kharkiv to prevent the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive from pushing closer to the Ukraine-Russia border.
• Russian forces near Izyum focused on regrouping, replenishing, and reconnoitering Ukrainian positions in order to continue advances to the southwest and southeast of Izyum.
• Russian forces continued their ground attacks to drive to the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts but did not make any territorial gains
• Russian troops continued to assault the Azovstal Steel Plant and advanced efforts to economically integrate occupied Mariupol into the wider Russian economy.
• Russian troops may be preparing for a renewed offensive on the Southern Axis but are unlikely to be successful in this endeavor.  

As the Russian war continues to escalate over 75 days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a recorded message urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to cease the hostilities. "This year we say 'never again' otherwise, we have to hear 'never again' differently. This sounds painful and cruel. Without reason, but with a sign of question. Do you say never again?" He added, as many as 20,000 Ukrainians have been killed in the "evil" war that Putin wages since February 24.

The United Kingdom on Sunday imposed a barrage of sanctions on Russia and its long-time ally Belarus. The UK Department of International Trade announced that the penalties will include $2.1 billion in trade, including import tariffs on platinum and palladium. In addition, export bans on chemicals, fertilizers, machinery and rubber. 

A 12-year-old Ukrainian boy, from the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast region, was killed in an explosion of the ammunition he brought home. According to Regional Governor Valentyn Reznychenko, the boy in the Synelnikove District found the ammunition from a cluster bomb, The Kyiv Independent reported.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, in a tweet, claimed that the Russian forces have killed more than 20,000 residents of Mariupol within 2 months. On the other hand, the Nazis killed ten thousand in two years during their occupation in the second world war, the ministry claimed. It even shared pictures of Mariupol featuring the ruined buildings resulting from Russian bombings.

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised that "as in 1945, victory will be ours" and expressed his gratitude to former Soviet republics. He stated that today, their soldiers just like their forefathers, are fighting side by side to rescue their native land from the Nazis.

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Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is in Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trudeau administration press secretary Cecely Roy confirmed, according to CNN.

“The Prime Minister is in Ukraine to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm Canada’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people,” Roy told CNN.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tributes to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers, and those who lost lives during the invasion of Russian in a recorded video message published on the occasion of Victory in Europe day, Sunday. 

UK PM dedicated his tributes to “those who’ve died and suffered in Russia’s illegal invasion,” and sent his “respect and gratitude” to those who laid lives during the previous conflicts that he said “strengthens our determination to support the people of Ukraine in their struggle.”

“We won’t forget the sacrifices that have been made over the generations to ensure peace and freedom in Europe,” UK PM Boris Johnson said. 

Europe is observing the Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, that marks 1945 formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany’s defeat. 

CIA Director William Burns has warned that the war in Ukraine has entered a dangerous phase as Russia's President Vladimir Putin cannot afford to lose. Russian President Vladimir Putin is "in a frame of mind that he thinks he cannot afford to lose, so the stakes are quite high in this phase," Burns said during an event in Washington, DC. 

CIA Director warned that Putin will not be deterred by the Western military support for Ukraine. "I don't think this means that, you know, Putin is deterred at this point, because he staked so much on the choice that he made to launch this invasion that I think he's convinced right now that doubling down still will enable him to make progress," he said.

Pavlo Kovalchuk, spokesman of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Sunday said that the Russian soldiers have intensified the offensive in Ukraine's northeast as it is trying to gain territory along the front line. Russian forces are heavily shelling the towns and villages, with heaviest bombardments witnessed in Prudyanka, Slatine and Tsyrkuny, the second largest city located near Kharkiv. 

G7 countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States – are slated to hold a virtual meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy. The meeting will focus on the latest developments in Russia's war on Ukraine, as well as sanctions package to deter Russia's aggression. White House release did not provide the exact time of the meeting. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the virtual summit will be chaired by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. 

Psaki added that the G7 leaders and US President Joe Biden will show "support for Ukraine and Ukraine’s future," and will demonstrate "continued G7 unity."

After the head of Russia’s republic of Chechnya, declared that Russians have taken control of the Ukrainian city of Popasna in the Luhansk region, Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukraine's President Zelenskyy contradicted the announcement.  Arestovych slammed Russian troops of spreading "propaganda" as he refuted the claims that the city of Popasna has fallen to the Russians.

“Russian propagandists have joyfully reported that they have already taken it, but this is not quite how it is. This is their 117th ‘capture of Popasna’ claim only this week,” he said in a video on social media.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Sunday said that she was “horrified” by the deadly bombing of a school in Luhansk by the Russian troops that led to the deaths of "innocent people sheltering from Russian bombardment.”“Deliberate targeting of civilians & civilian infrastructure amounts to war crimes. We will ensure Putin’s regime is held accountable,” she tweeted. 

The Dublin band, U2 has informed on Twitter that they were invited to perform by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine. Bands such as Bono and guitarist The Edge also [erformed in a bomb shelted as well to a crowd of fans including members of Ukraine’s armed forces.

A huge letter Z, which has become a symbol of the Russian military, is reflected in an office building in a street in Moscow, Russia. Red Soviet flags and orange-and-black striped military ribbons are on display in Russian cities and towns. 

People sit at a bus stop decorated by a letter Z, which has become a symbol of the Russian military in Sevastopol, Crimea. 

People walk along a street with a huge letter Z, which has become a symbol of the Russian military on a building in Moscow, Russia. 

The Russian holiday of Victory Day brings out patriotic displays of flags, military parades and marches by veterans groups celebrating the country's triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. At first glance, the preparations for Monday’s celebration seem to be the same as ever. But the mood this year is very different, because Russian troops are fighting and dying in neighboring Ukraine. 

Cars drive along a street with a huge letter Z, which has become a symbol of the Russian military on a building in a street in Moscow. 

Vehicles drive through a street with the letter Z, which has become a symbol of the Russian military in Moscow, Russia.

A car drives past a billboard with a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin that reads: "For Russia" in Grozny, Russia.

[Images: Associated Press]

Jill Biden heard heartbreaking stories from Ukrainian women and children who fled Russia’s war and found safe haven in EU nations during her trip. In conversation with a mother from Ukraine, the US first lady heard her harrowing escape after being holed up in a cramped, cold basement with her traumatized 8-year-old daughter as the city was shelled heavily. 

Reaching Romania “was a game change for us,” Svitlana Gollyak of Kharkiv, Ukraine, told Dr Jill Biden in her native language during the first lady’s tour of a Bucharest public school hosting refugee children. Gollyak said her daughter “feels much better here. ... No more tears and she adapted very nicely.”

Dr Jill Biden told Gollyak and the other women, “I think mothers will do anything for their children,” adding that they were “amazingly strong and resilient.”

Dr Jill Biden said her message to the families was “we stand with you.”

Credit: Associated Press

Credit: Associated Press

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Sunday labelled Russia’s war in Ukraine as an “epoch break.” Speaking at the opening of the federal congress of the German Trade Union Confederation ( DGB ) in Berlin, while he commemorated the end of the Second World War WWII, Steinmeier that May 8th wasn’t just a day of remembrance and admonition, but also "day of hope.” 

"May 8th is a day of war." of course," said Steinmeier. "It's an epochal break." The war is threatening the very existence of Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is "finally destroying the basis of the European peace order that we built after the Second World War and the Cold War."

United States' First Lady Jill Biden celebrated Mother's Day by visiting the Tomasikova Street School in Slovakia on Sunday where she met with the Ukrainian mothers and the teachers who have sought refuge into the European country, fleeing the war atrocities in Ukraine. Dr Biden was welcomed with a popular 'bread in salt' tradition in Slovakia and other Slavic countries and she was seen holding discussions with the refugee women of Ukraine. 

"The hearts of the American people are with the mothers of Ukraine," Biden said in a Twitter post. 

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas  who met with her Ukrainian counterpart Ruslan Stefantschuk during her major visit to Kyiv, laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The two German and the Ukrainian counterparts commemorated the victims of the Second World War who laid lives fighting the Nazi Germany. The WWII commemoration was "very moving" said Bas. 

"For me, the day is also special because it not only serves as a reminder, but also serves to promote reconciliation." Bas demanded that there should be peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Stefanchuk invited Germany’s Bas to Ukraine. Bundestag President  travelled to Kyiv by train. Ukraine thanked their German counterpart’s visit. Stefanchuk said, ”For us, that really is a sign of Germany's solidarity with the Ukraine and with the Ukrainian people." 

Ukraine's Azov regiment fighters have announced their willingness to continue defending the Azovstal steel mill in the port city of Mariupol. At a press conference, Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov regiment said, "We will continue to fight as long as we live to repel the Russian occupiers."

"We don't have much time, we're under intense fire."

Palamar applealed to international community for help in evacuating wounded soldiers and bestowing them honour of respectful burial. He did not confirm whether all civilians were evacuated from the steelworks.

On Saturday, six Russian cruise missiles were fired from aircraft that hit Odesa while one was targetted at the Ukrainian military's command post, Ukraine's Operational Command "South" said in a post. A curfew is in place in the city of Odesa until Tuesday morning. The missile was launched from a multi-role Russian SU-35 fighter from the Black Sea. Russian troops have been using their strategic naval positions to attack the Ukrainian port cities and the Snake Island near Crimea. 

Russian forces have announced a ceasefire with Ukraine for the first time citing the civilian evacuations in Mariupol. But according to Petro Andriushchenko, advisor to Mariupol mayor, they have used this tactic as a military strategy to set up a new position for artillery observing, spotting, and sniper fire to attack the Azovstal plant in Mariupol that they have been unable to capture despite intense fighting overnight. The highly fortified Azovstal steel plant is the final holdout of Ukraine forces in the besieged port city of Mariupol, most of which is under the control of the Russian troops.

Kharkiv region police on Sunday has reportedly informed that a convoy of civilian vehicles with those trying to flee the intense fighting in Kharkiv was fired on. Several are reported dead. The civilian convoy was trying to head to the Ukrainian-controlled territory when it was fired on, Serhiy Bolvinov, chief of the investigation department, reportedly said. "Due to the ongoing combat, it was not possible [for police] to reach the place of the column," Bolvinov added. 

Pro-Russian forces broke off the Transnistria section of Moldova in 1992, and Russian troops have been stationed there since, ostensibly as peacekeepers. Those forces are on “full combat readiness,” Ukraine said on Sunday, without giving details on how it came to the assessment. Russian and separatist troops are on “full alert,” the Ukrainian military warned Sunday in a Telegram update. 

Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gordon Grlič Radman have arrived in Kyiv to meet with the Ukrainian President. Plenkovich arrived in Kyiv on the morning of May 8 and is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, and Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Steefanchuk.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Vladimir Gundyayev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin said that accusations by his Western opponents that he allegedly makes "militaristic speeches" are "nonsense." He reiterated that Russia does not intend to attack or harm anyone, and does not want to "invade or occupy anyone."

European Commission has proposed sanctions on 75-year-old that include a travel ban and asset freeze due to their closeness to the Russian President and justifying the war in Ukraine. Western experts have been criticising the Russian Orthodox Church's views. Recently, Pope Francis denounced Patriarch Kirill for not condemning Putin. 

"After 20 minutes of listening to all his justifications for the war, I said: 'I don't understand any of this. Brother, we aren't politicians. We can't speak the language of politics, but of Jesus,'" Francis told the Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera.

"'We have to find our way to peace and stop the shooting. The patriarch can't be Putin's messenger,'" he said.

Refuting Russian claims that its troops have taken control of the city of Popasna, Oleksiy Arestovych, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claimed that a fierce battle for the town is still happening. “A battle for Popasna is ongoing,” Arestovych said in a video on social media. He accused Russians for declaring victory, asserting that it is their "117th ‘capture of Popasna’ claim only this week.”

Ukrainian troops have retreated from the eastern Ukrainian city of Popasna. There are reports that Russian soldiers have taken the control of the city. The governor of Luhansk region said on Sunday, "Ukrainian troops withdrew from Popasna in Luhansk Oblast to more fortified positions."

Serhiy Haidai, Head of Luhansk Regional Military Administration further added, "Ukrainian troops withdrew a little from Popasna because the city was under shelling for more than two months. Everything is destroyed there. That's why Ukrainian troops retreated to stronger positions, which were prepared in advance." 

Ramzan Kadyrov, the president of Russia’s Chechen Republic, declared his troops had gained control of most of the eastern Ukrainian city of Popasna. 

“Fighters of the Chechen special forces … have taken most of Popasna under control,” Kadyrov, who has often described himself as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “foot soldier” said in a post on the Telegram.

A view of a destroyed railway bridge over Siverskiy Donets river near Raigorodka, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Saturday. Credit: Associated Press

On Sunday, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that "some countries" may have forgotten and might be down with short historical memory but in Russia, "we sure don’t." Commemorating the civilian lives lost during WWII which Moscow terms as "Great Patriotic War" Russian MFA reminded that over 26 million people of the Soviet Union, 18 million of whom were civilians was the ultimate sacrifice and the “toll” of Victory. 

"It’s no exaggeration - every family in the post-Soviet countries has relatives or loved ones who served, died, worked on the home front, or was affected by the scariest of wars," Russia asserted.

"Thus, whenever their sacred memory is desecrated and the Nazis glorified, it’s personal."

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has justified his war in Ukraine saying that the goal of the military operation was to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine and protect civilians. 

A senior official in the Luhansk region has said the likelihood of reovering survivors or anyone alive from the deadly school bombing by Russian fighter jet on Saturday afternoon are "very small."

"The explosion happened inside the building. Rescuers [are] dismantling the debris as quickly as possible. The chances of finding [anyone still] alive are very small. There were 90 people inside the school building; 27 survived, 60 people most likely died," Serhiy Hayday, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, said in Telegram post. 

Haidai also informed that two boys aged 11 and 14 were killed by Russian shelling in the town of Pryvillia, while two girls aged 8 and 12 and a 69-year-old woman were wounded. At least 90 people were seeking safety in the basement.

[Credit: Сергій Гайдай / Луганська ОДА/T(Serhiy Hayday)Telegram]

[Credit: Сергій Гайдай / Луганська ОДА/T(Serhiy Hayday)Telegram]

Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Sunday addressed the Russians ahead of the Victory Day celebration on May 9, when Mosocw commemorates Soviet troops defeating Nazi Germany during the World war II. Putin said that "today the common duty is to prevent the revival of Nazism, which has brought so much suffering to people in different countries," and to "preserve and pass on to descendants the truth about the war, common spiritual values ​​and traditions, fraternal friendship ".

He congratulated the leaders of the "DPR" and "LPR" whom Russian Duma recognized as independent ahead of the Ukraine's invasion on Feb. 24. 

"Today our servicemen, like their ancestors, are fighting side by side for the liberation of their homeland from Nazi defilement,"' said Putin. He expressed confidence that "as in 1945, victory will be ours."

"Today, Nazism is raising its head again and trying to impose its barbaric, inhumane orders. It is our sacred duty to prevent the revenge of the ideological heirs of those who were overthrown in the Great Patriotic War," he told Ukrainian World War II veterans.

Militaries of both Russia and Ukrainia have claimed victory as the intense combat is ongoing in the Black Sea over Russian-occupied Snake Island. Spokesman for the Odesa region military administration, Serhiy Bratchuk claimed that Ukraine's forces struck the Russian helicopter, as he shared a video for evidence. A small landing boat, and at least two Raptor-class patrol boats of the Russian troops was also destroyed, he said. Satellite images from the Black Sea's Snake island showed thick black plume of smoke rising from the Ukrainian island.

Russian Ministry of Defense meanwhile gave contradictory updates. Two more Ukrainian Su-24 bombers and one Mi-24 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force were destroyed by Russian air defense systems, Russia's Major General Igor Konashenkov said at the briefing. He added that Russian troops targetted and took out Ukraine's Bayraktar-TB2 combat drone near Odesa, Ukraine's military claimed that it intercepted at least two cruise missiles launched from a Russian fighter jet. 

Russia has lost 1,130 tanks, 2,741 armored personnel carriers, 1,961 vehicles and fuel tanks, 509 artillery systems, 179 multiple launch rocket systems, 86 anti-aircraft defense systems, 156 helicopters, 199 aircraft, 360 UAVs, and 12 boats since its launched the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukraine’s Armed Forces said. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people “embody the spirit of those who prevailed during the Second World War.” He then derided Russia's President Vladimir Putin of trying “to twist history to attempt to justify his unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine.”

“As war again rages in Europe, we must increase our resolve to resist those who now seek to manipulate historical memory in order to advance their own ambitions,” Blinken said in a statement as the United States and United Kingdom commemorate the Allied victory in Europe.

Russian forces kept up their barrage of southern Ukraine, hitting the major Black Sea port of Odesa with cruise missiles and bombarding the steelworks up the coast in Mariupol, where Ukrainian fighters remained trapped underground. Moscow was aiming to complete its conquest of Mariupol in time for Victory Day celebrations on Monday. But it’s forces continued to face dogged resistance from defenders within the bunkers beneath the factory. Civilians have been evacuated.

In a sign of the unexpectedly effective defense that has sustained the fighting into its 11th week, Ukraine’s military flattened Russian positions on a Black Sea island that was captured in the war’s first days and has become a symbol of resistance.

Western military analysts also said a Ukrainian counteroffensive was advancing around the country’s second-largest city, Kharkiv. Ukraine’s military said retreating Russian forces destroyed three bridges on a road northeast of the city to try to slow the Ukrainian advance.

Source: Associated Press

Speaking on WWII Remembrance Day, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy vowed to win the ongoing war against Russia. "We will overcome the winter, which began on February 24, lasts on May 8, but will definitely end, and the Ukrainian sun will melt it! And we will meet our dawn together with the whole country." Giving hope to battling residents and troops, he said that families will be together again. Thousands of families have been separated, hundreds have been killed since Russia began its "unprovoked" military assault on Ukraine. 

In his Remembrance Day Speech, Zelenkskyy blasted Russia saying Evil has returned, Again! "In a different uniform, under different slogans, but for the same purpose. A bloody reconstruction of Nazism was organized in Ukraine. A fanatical repetition of this regime. Its ideas, actions, words, and symbols." 

He continued, " Maniacal detailed reproduction of its atrocities and “alibi”, which allegedly give an evil sacred purpose. Repetition of its crimes and even attempts to surpass the “teacher” and move him from the pedestal of the greatest evil in human history. Set a new world record for xenophobia, hatred, racism and the number of victims they can cause".

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a speech to mark Remembrance and Reconciliation Day for those who lost their lives during WWII. He said that millions of crippled, tortured, and lost lives, gave a reason to say "Never again". But, on February 24, the word “never” was erased. "Shot and bombed. By hundreds of missiles at 4 am, which woke up entire Ukraine. We heard terrible explosions. We heard: again!" Zelenskyy said referring to the Russian invasion. 

Ukraine’s ministry of foreign affairs has strongly condemned the Russian shelling of a school in Bilohorivka, Luhansk Oblast which was sheltering 60 people. Sharing a video from the site, it slammed Moscow troops for committing war crimes and "constantly repeating" the tragedy of World War II.

11 people have been trapped under rubble following Russian shelling in Shypylivka, Luhansk Oblast. According to Governor Serhii Haidai, the two-story building was attacked overnight. As of now, no casualties have been reported. 

Zelenskyy expressed outrage at Russian attacks on Kharkiv's museum and on the city of Odesa “where almost every street has something memorable, something historical.” In his routine address, he said that Russian forces have destroyed or damaged about 200 cultural heritage sites since the war began in February. 

“Every day of this war, the Russian army does something that leaves you speechless,” he said. “But then the next day it does something that makes you feel this way in a new way," Zelesnkyy added. 

As international efforts to pressurize Russia for a ceasefire continue, G7 leaders, including US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are set to discuss Western support for Kyiv later today. The virtual conference will witness Zelenskyy presenting the ground report from the war-torn country. Tightening of existing sanctions is also expected to be brought to the discussion table. 

Leaders from the European Union (EU) will meet in Brussels today to finalize the sixth package of sanctions against Russia. The latest package of sanctions is expected to include the widely debated oil embargo and additional sanctions against Russian banks and institutions. 

Russian forces dropped a bomb on the school of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, where almost the entire village was staying, local media reports have said. At least 90 people were staying inside the school building when the attack took place. 2 casualties have been reported as yet. Following the aerial strike, 30 people have been dragged out of the rubble. According to the governor Serhiy Gaidai, the remaining 60 people are feared dead. 

Russia is spending an estimated US$900 million a day on the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to military magazine SOFREP. Kremlin is bound to pay all the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, provide them with rockets and repair lost or damaged military equipment, as per the publication. His remarks came as the invasion entered its 74th day on Sunday. 

2 Russian missiles hit locations near the Russian border in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region today, local governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi said. A border guard was wounded by the strikes on the Myropilske and Khotin municipalities, Zhyvytskyi wrote on Telegram.

Mayor of Warsaw has criticized an event planned by Russian Embassy to mark Victory Day in the city. "No Polish public institution should lay a hand on this initiative. Moreover, it should be forbidden. There is no my consent to the celebration of the aggressor in Warsaw," Rafał Trzaskowski said. Notably, Poland and USSR were both a part of the victorious allied forces during the second world war. 

US Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) Director William Burns said on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes doubling down on the military conflict in Ukraine will improve the outcome of the war. Speaking to Financial Times, Burns said that "He(Putin) is in a frame of mind in which he doesn't believe he can afford to lose. I think he's convinced right now that doubling down still will enable him to make progress." This comes as several analysts opined that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has "backfired" due to unexpected Ukrainian resistance. 

As Russia's all-out war against Ukraine continued for the tenth week, air raid sirens were sounded in Kyiv. Alarms were set off in other regions including Donetsk, Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil and Odesa oblasts.

Zelenskyy expressed outrage at Russian attacks on Kharkiv's museum and on the city of Odesa “where almost every street has something memorable, something historical.” In his routine address, he said that Russian forces have destroyed or damaged about 200 cultural heritage sites since the war began in February. 

“Every day of this war, the Russian army does something that leaves you speechless,” he said. “But then the next day it does something that makes you feel this way in a new way," Zelesnkyy added. 

Russian troops have increased attacks on Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv. As the war of attrition continues, Putin's forces have increased shelling on the northeastern city. On Saturday, Kyiv announced that it has reclaimed control over five villages northeast of Kharkiv. 

Satellite images have shown that Ukrainian troops successfully launched a counteroffensive on a Kremlin-controlled island located in the Black Sea. Ukraine's defense ministry said in a statement an armed drone had destroyed a Serna-class landing craft and a missile defense system at the Snake Island. Notably, the island is located just 35 kilometers away from the coast of Ukraine.

_{Credits: AP}

The World Health Organisation( WHO) indicated that it is gathering evidence for war crimes committed by Russia. The WHO emergencies director, Mike Ryan, said the agency has already documented 200 attacks on hospitals and clinics in Ukraine since the start of the war. The assaults could lead to violation of several international laws. 

All elderly, women, and children have been evacuated from Azovstal Steel Factory in Mariupol, Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Saturday. However, at least 2,000 troops-including those injured- are still trapped in the besieged plant. Russia has continued to attack the factory, despite announcing a ceasefire there. Kyiv has warned that Putin aims at a complete takeover of the ancient port city before May 9 Victory Day in Europe. 

Russian troops have continued attacks on Ukraine's southern territories as the war continued for the 11th week. On Saturday, Putin's troops launched 6 cruise missiles on the port city of Odesa. In addendum, Russians have continued shelling Mariupol's Azovstal Steel plant as of last of elderly, women, and children were evacuated. 

US State Secretary Antony Blinken lauded the spirit of Ukrainians saying that Zelenskyy and his people “embody the spirit of those who prevailed during the Second World War.” He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying “to twist history to attempt to justify his unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine.” Commemorating the allied victory in the World War II on Saturday, he said that both US and UK would increase support to Kyiv.

Ukraine’s emergency service has reported two residents of Luhansk have been killed in the Russian airstrike, The Kyiv Independent reported. The authorities said that the forces have been excavated from the spot. Earlier, Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai accused Russian armed forces of dropping a bomb on a building where "almost the entire village of Bilohorivka" had been hiding from Russian shelling, The Kyiv Independent reported. Haidai claimed that around 90 people had taken shelter in the school which had been targeted by Russian forces. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his video address stated that more than 300 people, including women and children, had been evacuated in the first phase of the Azovstal evacuation mission. He said that they have now started preparations for the second phase of the evacuation mission which includes the wounded and medics. He added that they are working to evacuate the armed forces of Ukraine as well. He expressed gratitude to the teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations for their help in evacuating civilians. 

Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of launching missile strike at Odesa. Zelenskyy called the actions of Russia on the Day of Remembrance of all victims of World War II and the Day of Victory over Nazism reminds "every state and every nation that it is impossible to defeat evil once and for all." He further stated that Russian troops fired a missile to destroy Hryhorii Skovoroda Museum. According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces have destroyed or damaged around 200 cultural heritage sites so far. 

Ukrainian armed forces have claimed to have killed 107 Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine on May 7, The Kyiv Independent reported. According to the Eastern Operational and Tactical Group, three dozen units of military equipment of Russia had been destroyed on May 7. The equipments that have been destroyed by Ukrainian armed forces include 8 Russian tanks, 11 infantry fighting vehicles, Russia's armoured personal carrier, 4 MT-LB armored tracked vehicles and 5 artillery tractors. 

Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai accused Russian armed forces of dropping a bomb on a building where "almost the entire village of Bilohorivka" had been hiding from Russian shelling, The Kyiv Independent reported. Haidai claimed that around 90 people had taken shelter in the school which had been targeted by Russian forces. According to Haidai, the officials had rescued around 30 people from the rubble.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the deployment of soldiers from Syria to Ukraine, Russian administration has taken the decision to accelerate their efforts in capturing Donbass, Nexta reported citing a source in The Moscow Times. Presently, there are more than 60000 Russian troops in Syria and around half of them are officers. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to distort the history to justify Moscow's war against Ukraine. Blinken made the remarks in a statement on the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. He emphasized that the people who have read about past know Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine have been showcasing the spirit of those who had "prevailed during the second world war." Blinken in the statement stressed that Ukrainians have been "valiantly" defending their country, democracy and "rightful future" of Ukraine in Europe.

"President Putin tries to twist history to attempt to justify his unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine. Those who study the past know President Zelenskyy and the brave people of Ukraine embody the spirit of those who prevailed during the Second World War," Antony Blinken said in the statement. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has highlighted the need for a special tribunal  "for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine" in order to hold Russia accountable. He further stated that he had spoken about the need for special tribunal in his address at the first International Conference in Vilnius. 

Ukrainian General Staff has announced that the armed forces of Ukraine have liberated village in Kharkiv Oblast, The Kyiv Independent reported. The village of Tsyrkuny in Kharkiv has been liberated. 

Ukrainian armed forces continue to work on demining and cleaning the airfield in Gostomel, Nexta reported. 

Ukrainian cabinet has approved the draft agreement to receive $1.5 billion from World Bank., The Kyiv Independent reported. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the amount would be spent on government agencies, public servants and other expenditures of budget. 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. During the meeting, they emphasized that joint efforts were required to stop Russia's war against Ukraine. Both sides highlighted that Russia's military's offensive in Ukraine threatened the whole world. Denys Shmyhal thanked Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine. 

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk has claimed that they have completed the evacuation of all women, children and elderly people ffrom Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant. In her Facebook post, she further stated that the order given by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been fulfilled.