US defends passing intel to Ukraine

Amid reports of more losses to Russian forces, US officials have said they shared information about Russian troops and the location of the Russian warship Moskva with Ukraine prior to its sinking last month, a fresh demonstration of the close intelligence support Kyiv is receiving from Washington.

However, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby deflected questions about whether the US provided information to Ukraine that helped military leaders target Russian generals, instead saying Ukraine "makes the decisions" when it comes to how they use US intel.

On the ground, Ukraine tried to evacuate more civilians from a besieged Mariupol steel plant yesterday as Russian forces unleashed new bombardments across the country ahead of Victory Day festivities in Moscow.

On Friday, in a press briefing, Kirby stressed that Ukraine combines intelligence from many countries and the US is "not the sole source of intelligence and information to the Ukrainians".

"The kind of intelligence that we provide them – it's legitimate, it's lawful, and it's limited."

According to a Guardian report, the US has been providing the location and other details of the Russian military's mobile headquarters, which has allowed Ukraine to target them with artillery strikes, potentially disrupting the invaders' command and control.

It is thought to be one reason why about a dozen Russian generals have been killed in the fighting so far, prompting a New York Times report this week with the headline "US Intelligence Is Helping Ukraine Kill Russian Generals, Officials Say" that was shut down by the Pentagon as "misleading".

Yesterday, fighting was continuing on many fronts in Ukraine, and Ukraine's defence ministry said it had destroyed another Russian warship -- a Serna-class landing craft -- in the Black Sea.

"The traditional parade of the Russian Black Sea fleet on May 9 this year will be held near Snake Island -- at the bottom of the sea," the ministry added. Russia did not immediately confirm the incident.

Tomorrow, President Vladimir Putin will celebrate the World War II Soviet victory over Nazi Germany with a traditional Victory Day parade.

The Russian military campaign, which began on February 24, 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 yesterday 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.

According to Ukraine's defence ministry, Russian troops were forced to demolish three road bridges near Tsyrkuny and Ruski Tyshky outside Kharkiv, to slow the Ukrainian advance.

According to British intelligence, Ukrainian forces equipped with high-end weaponry by the western allies, have been able to destroy at least one of Russia's most advanced tanks, the T-90M.

"The conflict in Ukraine is taking a heavy toll on some of Russia's most capable units and most advanced capabilities," UK Defence Intelligence said. "It will take considerable time and expense for Russia to reconstitute its armed forces following this conflict," it said, warning sanctions on advanced components would make it harder for Russia to re-arm.

The west, meanwhile, is stepping up arms deliveries to Ukraine's defenders.

US President Joe Biden on Friday announced another package of military assistance worth $150 million, including counter-artillery radars used for detecting the source of enemy fire.

This brings the total value of US weaponry sent to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began to $3.8 billion.

Biden had urged Congress to approve a further $33 billion package, including $20 billion in military aid, "to strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table."

The G7 leaders, including Biden, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky are to meet in videoconference today to discuss Western support for Kyiv.