Ukraine war: UN in new attempt to evacuate civilians from Mariupol 'hellscapes'

The United Nations says a third operation is underway to evacuate civilians from Mariupol’s besieged steel plant and the city.

The Pentagon says Moscow’s forces are still making only “plodding” progress in eastern Ukraine.

Poland's prime minister has told Euronews Vladimir Putin is a "war criminal" committing "genocide" in Ukraine, warning the EU against "business as usual" with Russia.

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The Pentagon says the majority of Russian forces that had been around the port city of Mariupol have left and headed north, leaving roughly the equivalent of two battalion tactical groups there, or about 2,000 troops.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that even as Russian airstrikes continue to bombard Mariupol, Moscow’s forces are still making only “plodding” and incremental progress as the main fight presses on in the eastern Donbas region.

He said he has seen no change in Russian behavior or momentum as May 9 draws near.

Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9, the anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. There have been suggestions that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to tout a major victory in Ukraine when he makes his address during the traditional military parade on Red Square.

Kirby said the U.S. still assesses that Russia is behind schedule and not making the progress in the Donbas that it expected.

(AP)

In his nightly video address Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described a “catastrophic” lack of access to medical services and medicine in areas of the country under Russian occupation.

In those areas, he said almost no treatment was available for those suffering from cancer