Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials during a visit to Beijing. China is Russia's biggest trading partner.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says that Bakhmut is completely destroyed - but has denied that Russia has won the bloody battle for the city.
Vladimir Putin has said Russia's future "rests on" the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, during his annual speech to mark Victory Day in Moscow.
"There is nothing more important now than your combat effort," he said.
The military parade, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, was scaled back this year for security.
Air raid sirens have sounded across Ukraine after Russia launched a fresh wave of drone and missile strikes.
Russia says it downed two drones that targeted the Kremlin in Moscow 2nd of May night and accused Ukraine of attempting to kill President Vladimir Putin.
In Monday’s meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeated accusations against the US, NATO and Ukraine. DW takes a look at the speech and debunks some of his claims.
Authorities in the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka — located in the eastern Donetsk region — are urging people to evacuate as critical resources like mobile service and electricity are disrupted by Russian shelling, a top regional official said.
Xi Jinping's 3 day visit to Russia and his meetings with Mr. Putin. China presents the trip as an effort to start peace talks between Russia and Ukraine based on its proposals.