Russia may seek to overtake the whole of Mariupol to mark its Victory Day celebrations on Monday, United Kingdom said. Currently, the Azovstal still mill is the only area in the port city that has not been captured by Russian forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on April 21 that the crucial port city had been captured after a continuous offensive. Putin ordered his forces to block the city in such a way “that not even a fly comes through.”

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A daily briefing published by the United Kingdom’s defense ministry read on early Friday, “The renewed effort by Russia to secure Azovstal and complete the capture of Mariupol is likely linked to the upcoming May 9 Victory Day commemorations and Putin’s desire to have a symbolic success in Ukraine.”

It added: “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”, according to reports from Associated Press.

The Azovstal steel in Mariupol reportedly has a complex network of tunnels and bomb Vicshelters underneath it, giving boosted protection to the Ukrainian fighters inside. Kyiv, however, has lost contact with the Russian forces inside the steel mill, the Mariupol mayor said.

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Why is Victory Day significant?

Victory Day, celebrated on May 9 in Russia, marks the day USSR defeated Nazi Germany in 1945. A military parade is organised in Moscow annually and top leaders and prominent personalities gather to witness the event. The Russian leader also delivers an address from Moscow’s Red Square.

Some media reports also suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin may also declare an all war against Ukraine on Victory Day 2022. Moscow has so far called its offensive in Ukraine a “special operation.”