Russia asserts control over Ukrainian territory in Luhansk region

Russia’s Ministry of Defence claims to have taken full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, stating that units from the “West” military grouping have completed the liberation of the area. The ministry also reported taking control of the village of Verkhnya Pysarivka in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and the village of Boikove in southeastern Ukraine.

The Luhansk region has been under Russian control for over 99% of its territory since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in 2022. The Kremlin has reiterated its demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the entirety of Donetsk, which Kyiv has repeatedly dismissed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was surprised anyone could believe Russia could hope to conquer the remainder of the Donbas within a two-month timeframe. He emphasized Ukraine’s desire for a diplomatic solution and would only agree to a ceasefire at the current front lines.

Swarms of Russian drones attacked Ukraine overnight, resulting in the deaths of two women in an attack on a civilian car in the Kherson region. Ukrainian forces have also launched drone attacks on Russia, including striking the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in 10 days.

Several countries reported Ukrainian drones crossing into their airspace, with Estonia’s armed forces stating that several drones appeared to have strayed from Ukraine while headed to Russia. Finnish police detected a drone carrying explosives, and Latvian police launched an investigation after finding debris from a drone in the country.

Source: Al Jazeera