Russian Forces Claim Full Control of Luhansk Region

The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday that its forces have seized full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, marking significant territorial gains. Luhansk is one of four Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia in 2022, a declaration widely condemned by Kyiv and Western nations as illegal.

The Russian Defence Ministry claimed complete control over the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, marking a crucial territorial gain.

Luhansk, one of the regions Russia declared as its own in 2022, has mostly been under Russian control. The Kremlin named it the 'Luhansk People's Republic,' a title not recognized by Kyiv or the West.

Amid calls for Ukrainian forces to retreat from Donetsk, Russia also reported seizing two additional villages. These claims remain unverified by Reuters, as there was no immediate response from Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies.)