Russia Claims Victory in Luhansk, Tightens Grip on Donbas

Russia has taken full control of Luhansk, a key eastern region of Ukraine, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing invasion that began over three years ago.

According to senior Russian official Leonid Pasechnik, the 26,700-square-kilometer Luhansk region is now "100 percent under Russian control." This is the first territory Russia has claimed full control over since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"This is a historic moment for us," said Pasechnik, celebrating what Russia sees as a strategic victory. However, Ukraine has strongly condemned the move. A Ukrainian spokesperson stated, “Russia's claim to Luhansk and other regions is baseless and illegal,” vowing that Ukraine would never accept Russia’s occupation of its territory.

Luhansk holds deep historical and political significance. It was once part of Russia and became part of the Soviet Union in 1922. Following the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president in 2014, both Donetsk and Luhansk became flashpoints of conflict, with separatist movements supported by Moscow.

With the capture of Luhansk, Russia now controls approximately 19 percent of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. This includes major portions of Donetsk (about 70 percent), as well as parts of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk.

The fall of Luhansk is expected to further escalate tensions and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts, as Russia solidifies its presence in the Donbas region.