The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance on Saturday seized a $700 million yacht allegedly owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed a second Russian ship.
Italian authorities discovered significant commercial and business connections between the owner of the Scheherazade and influential members of the Russian government, and individuals sanctioned by the EU in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The mega yacht Scheherazade was spotted by Italian authorities in the Tuscan port of Marina di Cararra being renovated, per ABC News. Italian officials recommended that the EU council have the owner included in the list of Russians sanctioned.
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that Ukrainian forces claim to have sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea following the destruction of the ship Moskva last month. It was supported by a video of what seemed to be a Bayraktar drone strike on a vessel anchored at Snake Island.
Heavy black smoke rising overhead was seen in the satellite photos of the aftermath of a suspected Ukrainian drone attack on Russian positions on Snake Island.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence posted a message on Twitter mocking Russian forces: "The traditional parade of the Russian Black Sea fleet on 9 May this year will be held near Snake Island - at the bottom of the sea," the ministry tweeted.
Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 destroyed another Russian ship. This time the landing craft of the "Serna" project. 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. pic.twitter.com/WYEPywmAwX
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 7, 2022
Russian Forces Drops Bomb on a School
In the village of Bilohorivka in Ukraine's Luhansk region, Russian forces bombed a school wherein civilians take shelter.
Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai says Russia has dropped a bomb on the school following the destruction of the town's bomb shelter earlier, according to Sky News. The school's basement was the last place for people to shelter from the Russian attacks.
Gaidai reported on Facebook that about 90 people were in the basement when the bomb went off. Around 30 people have been rescued from the wreckage.
As of present writing, the Russian defense ministry has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
Over 300 Civilians in Azovstal Steel Plant Rescued
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, in his nightly message on Saturday, that more than 300 citizens have been rescued since the beginning of evacuations from the besieged Azovstal steel plant.
The first phase of the evacuations, which began just over a week ago, came to a close which Zelensky is thankful for.
The Ukrainian head of state reported that there were over 300 people were saved, including women and children, per Sky News.
"I am grateful to the teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations for helping us carry out the first phase of the Azovstal evacuation mission, " he said.
The second phase of evacuations for the wounded, medics, and soldiers is now being planned by authorities.
According to Zelensky, as of Saturday, the Russian army had destroyed or damaged approximately 200 cultural heritage sites in his country.
Amid the growing suspicions of a battle between the remaining fighters and the Russian army, Ukraine authorities request that the humanitarian agency Doctors Without Borders evacuate and provide medical assistance to the wounded fighters of Mariupol and Azovstal, per France 24.
