Russia’s war in Ukraine entered its eighth week with the loss of a flagship cruiser after a fire the government in Kyiv said was caused by a missile strike. The sinking of the Moskva dealt a blow to President Vladimir Putin’s prestige and his war effort.

It comes as his troops mass in the east of the country ahead of what Europe and the U.S. warn could be a big assault to try and secure some sort of win by May 9, when Russia usually marks the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II with a big parade.