Russia moves troops to Mariupol ahead of “Victory Day” parade, officials work to rescue trapped troops

Russia Movement of troops from the combat zones of Ukraine to Mariupol The Ukrainian Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense on Saturday warned preparations for the “Victory Day” parade of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the southern port city.

The announcement comes just two days before military parades are scheduled across Ukraine and Russia, celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

BATTLE FOR AZOVSTAL STEEL FACTORY A Ukrainian soldier warns Russian troops of their arrival at the plant

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

Officials said Putin would use the show as an attempt to prove his military success in eastern Ukraine despite the brutal fighting continuing in the region.

Last month, Putin declared victory over Mariupol, despite Russia’s inability to completely control the city.

Fighting continues from the last stronghold of the Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol below the Azovstal steel plant where an estimated 200 civilians and soldiers remain trapped.

In this posted photo taken from a video released Wednesday, May 4, 2022 by the press service of the Ministry of the Interior of the Donetsk People’s Republic, smoke rises from the Azovstal Metallurgical Complex in Mariupol, in a government-controlled area of ​​Donetsk People’s Republic, eastern Ukraine.
(Press service of the Ministry of the Interior of the Donetsk People’s Republic via AP)

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Russia reveals massive scale of May 9 military rallies as war erupts in Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers refused to surrender and fears grew that Russian forces would completely wipe out the survivors by the May 9 parade.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a late-night speech that he continues to pressure the Russians to respect the ceasefire and allow the evacuation of the remaining Ukrainians holed up.

“We are also working on diplomatic options to save our army, which is still in Azovstal,” he said. Influential brokers are involved. influential countries.

On Friday, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshuk said that 50 women, children and elderly civilians were evacuated from the tunnels.

But dozens could not be saved because Russia’s attack on the station continued – despite repeated claims from Moscow that it would allow humanitarian evacuation efforts.

Soldiers of the Russian Army stand in a military vehicle that rolls during the rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, May 7, 2022. The parade will be held on Red Square in Moscow on May 9 to celebrate 77 years of victory. in World War II.
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

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The United Nations worked last week to broker a deal to rescue hundreds of people trapped under Russian bombardment. But the effort was halted by a renewed attack by Russian forces on the station.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Aristovich has claimed that Russian forces were trying to end the remaining resistance in Mariupol as a gift to Putin ahead of the May 9 parade, Reuters reported on Saturday.