Russia's looming Victory Day: What success can Putin claim in Ukraine?

Meanwhile, efforts to evacuate more civilians in the devastated port city of Mariupol have run into delays, and hundreds of people remained trapped in the city's last stronghold of resistance, the Azovstal steel works.

On Monday, May 9, Russia’s annual Victory Day Parade, which commemorates the 1945 surrender of Nazi Germany, will be held in Moscow's Red Square. Ahead of the event, there has been endless speculation about what victories or trophies Russia might hope to announce from what it continues to call its "special operation" in Ukraine.

How are both sides faring in this conflict? Would the Kremlin consider complete control of the Donbas region an acceptable minimum by way of a victory to then end the Russian invasion? And what outcome would Ukraine and the West be prepared to accept in order to stop the war?

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.

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