Russia Ukraine War: Putin wants victory parade but battle rages on

Ukrainian forces say they’ve captured five villages on the outskirts of the country’s second city Kharkiv as part of a counter-offensive aimed at driving Russian forces out of the region.

Further south, all women, children and the elderly have reportedly been evacuated from the Mariupol steelworks which has been besieged by Russian forces.

Both sides are aiming to gain territory in the run-up to the symbolically important Russian Victory Day Celebrations, due to be held on Monday.