Russia continues assault on Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant

Russia continues assault on Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant - UK MoD

Russia is continuing its attempts to completely capture Ukraine's besieged south-eastern city of Mariupol, the UK Ministry of Defence says in its daily intelligence update.

Qazet.az reports that the efforts come ahead of Russia's Victory Day on 9 May an annual public holiday in Russia that celebrates the Soviet Union's victory in the Second World War.

Here's what the UK MoD's daily intelligence update says:

• Russian forces in Mariupol have continued their ground assault on the Azovstal steel plant for a second day.
• The renewed effort by Russia to secure Azovstal and complete the capture of Mariupol is likely linked to the upcoming 9 May Victory Day commemorations and Putin's desire to have a symbolic success in Ukraine.
• This effort has come at personnel, equipment and munitions cost to Russia. Whilst Ukrainian resistance continues in Azovstal, Russian losses will continue to build and frustrate their operational plans in southern Donbas.