Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region

Russia has claimed full control over the Luhansk region, which it illegally annexed in 2022. If confirmed, Luhansk would be the first Ukrainian region to fall entirely into Russian hands more than three years after President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion.

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-installed head of Luhansk, said he was informed “literally two days ago” that Russian forces now control 100% of the territory. Ukraine has not yet responded to the claim.

Luhansk was one of the earliest targets of Russia’s military push, though Ukraine had managed to retain small parts of the region. Russia declared its annexation of Luhansk along with four other regions, several of which remain only partially occupied. Their status is expected to be a central issue in any future peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military says it is preparing a counteroffensive in the northeastern Sumy region, where it has begun pushing back against recent Russian advances.

via Reutters