A seasoned observer’s look at Russia’s military condition in advance of an important event in Moscow is linked below, readable only for Berkshire Eagle subscribers. Second and third, Associated Press and Reuters summaries made available at about 4 this afternoon EDT. — MCM

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Russia’s Potemkin army to parade on Red Square, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  During my eight years in Moscow, the annual May 9 Victory over Nazism Parade was a huge, nationally televised extravaganza. Journalists parsed President Vladimir Putin’s speech. Military attaches from Western embassies studied new armaments with binoculars. Hours before the big day, Russian Air Force planes “seeded” chemical substance in clouds to prevent rain. Now, all eyes and ears are on Putin’s speech. Will he declare “victory” in Ukraine’s Donbas, a . . . Berkshire Eagle subscribers may click HERE to read more.

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Ukraine evacuates civilians from steel plant under siege, by Elena Becatoros and Jon Gambrell | The Associated Press ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — Russian forces fired cruise missiles at the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Saturday and bombarded a besieged steel mill in Mariupol, hoping to complete their conquest of the port in time for Victory Day celebrations. Ukraine announced that all women, children and older adults had been evacuated from the mill, a key Russian war objective. In a sign of the unexpectedly effective defense that has sustained the fighting into its 11th week, Ukraine’s military flattened Russian positions on a Black Sea island that was captured in the war’s first days and has become a symbol of resistance. Western military analysts also said a . . . READ. MORE . . .

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Ukraine says all women, children now evacuated from Mariupol steel mill, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * Women, children and elderly evacuated, deputy PM says * Not clear if other civilians remain * Russian forces try to storm Azovstal, Ukraine military says * CIA director says Putin ‘doubling down’ on conflict * WHO documents 200 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine | KYIV — All women, children and elderly civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister said today, despite what military officers said was an ongoing Russian assault at the plant. “This part of the . . . READ. MORE . . .

TO BE CONTINUED