Kyiv [Ukraine], July 3 (ANI): The Russian-installed governor of Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region claimed Thursday that Russian forces have fully conquered the territory, making it the first of the four annexed Ukrainian regions under Moscow’s total control, Al Jazeera reported.
“Just a couple of days ago, I received a report that the territory of the Luhansk People’s Republic has been 100 percent liberated,” said Leonid Pasechnik. However, some Russian military correspondents disputed the assertion, noting that two villages reportedly remain outside Russian control. Luhansk had previously been declared “liberated” in 2022 before Ukrainian forces recaptured parts of the region during a counteroffensive later that year.
The renewed Russian gains come more than three years into Moscow’s full-scale invasion, marking another milestone on the eastern front in recent weeks as Russian forces have gradually regained ground.
On the same day, the United States announced it would not deliver certain weapons to Kyiv that had been promised by the administration of former President Joe Biden. The White House said the decision followed a review of US military assistance to foreign partners and reflected “America’s interests first.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly thanked Ukraine’s air defense forces for their efforts in protecting civilians and frontline troops.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, “Thousands of warriors defend our skies, including anti-aircraft missile troops. Day and night, they shield us from everything launched to destroy life in Ukraine — from Russian missiles, drones, and aircraft. On Ukraine’s Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops Day, we thank each and every one of you … You save countless lives no matter where you are. Thank you for your precision and dedication.” (ANI)
About The Author
