1 July 2025 | M10News | News Desk
A Russian-backed official in occupied eastern Ukraine claims Moscow’s forces have seized full control of the entire Luhansk region, which Russia illegally annexed in 2022.
Leonid Pasechnik, the Kremlin-appointed leader of the occupied territory, told Russian state media that Luhansk is now “fully liberated — 100%,” suggesting Russia has achieved total military occupation of the region after more than three years of war.
If verified, Luhansk would be the first Ukrainian region entirely under Russian control since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
There has been no immediate confirmation from Russia’s defence ministry, and Ukrainian officials have yet to respond to the claim.
Kyiv has consistently rejected Russia’s assertions of sovereignty over Luhansk and other occupied regions, describing Moscow’s actions as illegal under international law. Ukraine has vowed never to recognise Russian control and continues military operations aimed at reclaiming its territories.
The reported development comes as fighting intensifies across the eastern front, with Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in ongoing battles for strategic positions in the Donbas.
