Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:
US announces new weapons package
US President Joe Biden announces a new $150 million weapons package to Ukraine, including artillery munitions and radar, while urging Congress to pass a $33 billion aid package including $20 billion in military aid.
The new batch brings the total value of US weaponry sent by the Biden administration to Ukraine -- including heavy artillery, shoulder-held Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and drones -- to $3.8 billion since Russia invaded on February 24, says Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Dozens of civilians evacuated from Azovstal plant
Fifty more civilians have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in the destroyed city of Mariupol, says Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, even as the factory continues to be hit by ground and air attacks.
The operation, which Vereshchuk says will continue Saturday, was to coincide with a daytime ceasefire announced by Russia starting Thursday, but Ukraine's army accused Moscow of continuing its assault on the plant.
Before the UN-led evacuation, about 200 civilians, including children, were estimated to still be trapped in the Soviet-era tunnels and bunkers beneath the factory, along with a group of Ukrainian soldiers making a last stand.
Troops, tanks in Red Square rehearsal for Victory Day parade
Russia holds its final rehearsal for an annual parade marking the Soviet victory in World War II, where its military might will be showcased amid Moscow's ongoing campaign in Ukraine.
Rehearsal for the May 9 event saw jet fighters flying over Moscow's Red Square forming the symbol "Z" in support of Russia's military action in Ukraine, while tanks and troops took part in the parade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to deliver a speech during the parade, which some Western officials believe could be a declaration of all-out war on Ukraine, speculation that the Kremlin has dismissed as "nonsense."
Human rights commissioner calls Russian violations 'staggering'
The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner, Dunja Mijatovic, calls Russian violations of human rights in Ukraine "staggering" after a four-day visit to the country.
The visit to areas outside Kyiv illustrated "the extent of such egregious human rights and humanitarian law violations, with mounting evidence of widespread arbitrary killings, torture, and enforced disappearances," the council says in a statement.
The organisation, which protects human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe, expelled Russia as a member in March.
UN Security Council adopts first declaration on war
The UN Security Council makes its first declaration on Ukraine since Russia's February 24 invasion of its neighbour, but stops short of supporting a mediation effort by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
"The Security Council expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine," the text adopted Friday said.
The 15-member council includes Russia, which in February vetoed a resolution condemning the invasion and asking Moscow to pull out its forces.
Italy impounds yacht tied to Putin
Italian authorities impound a $700 million, 140-metre mega yacht as speculation swirls it could belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Scheherazade", which has been berthed for several months at a shipyard on Italy's western coast, has been the subject of an ownership probe by the financial police.
Italy's investigation has helped establish "significant economic and business links" between the official owner and "eminent people in the Russian government", as well as Russians on the West's sanctions list, the economy ministry says.
Eastern city surrounded
Russian forces have almost encircled Severodonetsk, the easternmost city still held by Ukraine where about 15,000 people remain, a local official says.
Oleksandr Striuk, the head of the Severodonetsk military administration, says on Ukrainian television that Kyiv's army is so far "repelling these attacks" but the Russians were pressing on.