Russia steps up assaults in Ukraine

ZAPORIZHZHIA, May 07 (AFP/BBC): Ukraine hoped to evacuate more civilians from a besieged Mariupol steel plant on Saturday as Russian forces unleased new bombardments across the country ahead of Victory Day festivities in Moscow.
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 unleashed by Russia's invasion.
Ukraine's defence minister said Russian forces had resumed their assault on the site, despite earlier talk of a truce to allow trapped civilians to flee the complex.
Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said rescuers would try to evacuate more civilians on Saturday.
On Monday, Moscow and President Vladimir Putin will celebrate the World War II Soviet victory over Nazi Germany with a traditional Victory Day parade.
Russia's campaign in Ukraine has run into tough resistance-and provoked Kyiv's western allies into slapping massive economic sanctions on the Russian economy and Putin's inner circle.
But with Victory Day fast approaching, Ukrainian officials fear more intense missile and artillery bombardments and renewed assaults as Moscow scrambles for symbolic wins.
The Ukrainian rescue service said a missile hit a technical college in Kostiantynivka, in the eastern region of Donetsk, causing a fire and at least two deaths.
Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said there had been "massive bombardments" along the frontline. Strikes were also reported in the north of Ukraine near the city of Kharkiv and in the southern city of Mikoleyev, a key Russian target.
Ukrainian forces have launched a counter-offensive of their own.
UN issues statement
but avoids word 'war'
The UN Security Council has adopted its first statement on Ukraine, but it does not use the words "war", "conflict" or "invasion".
The unanimous statement instead "expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine".
It voiced "strong support" for Secretary General Antonio Guterres in seeking a peaceful solution to the 10-week "dispute".
Wielding veto power in the council, Russia has stymied all prior bids to adopt a statement on Ukraine.
Mexico's UN ambassador, whose country helped draft the statement, was asked about criticism that it took two months to draft and merely supports the UN secretary general.
11 Ukraine women among 41
prisoners freed in new swap
Over 40 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians captured by Russia, among them 11 women and a cleric, have been freed in a new prisoner exchange, Kyiv said Friday.
"Another prisoner exchange has taken place: 41 people, including 11 women were brought home," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in a statement on Telegram.