Media outlets in Sweden and Finland are reporting that their governments will submit NATO applications next month after Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has fueled growing support for membership in the two countries.

The Finnish newspaper Iltalehti said Monday that the Swedish government wants “a common date for the publication of NATO applications” and mentions the week of May 16. Sweden’s Expressen tabloid said it had confirmed the plan through sources in its government. Both Nordic countries have long cooperated with NATO on defense issues, and the U.S. supports their memberships. Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia.

NATO has provided some support for Ukraine since the invasion two months ago but has steadfastly declined to institute a no-fly zone for Ukraine, which is not a member of the alliance. NATO leaders have said the alliance will fully defend any member that faces attack.

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From Potemkin to Putin: What a centuries-old myth reveals about Russia’s war against Ukraine

Latest developments:

►The British government says it believes 15,000 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since Moscow launched its invasion two months ago. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said 25% of the Russian combat units sent to Ukraine “have been rendered not combat effective.” Russia has acknowledged 1,351 military casualties.

►Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said new evidence is emerging that shows Russian troops killed tens of thousands of civilians in Mariupol and then tried to cover it up.

International Criminal Court to join probe into possible war crimes

The International Criminal Court in The Hague will join the investigation into allegations of war crimes committed in Ukraine. A Joint Investigative Team was set up by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine to prepare possible prosecutions within countries and before the international court. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan and the prosecutors general of the three countries signed an agreement Monday.

The agreement sends a “clear message that all efforts will be undertaken to effectively gather evidence on core international crimes committed in Ukraine and bring those responsible to justice,” the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation said in a statement.

Ukraine authorities have accused Russian leadership and the military of targeting civilians, claiming mass graves have been found with hundreds of victims. Russia has denied the allegations, accusing the Ukraine military of faking photos of the dead or of committing the murders and blaming Russia in a bid to strengthen international support.