Moscow's governor declares the capture of the Ukrainian city of Luhansk
Russia's occupation authorities, led by Leonid Pasechnik, the Kremlin-installed head of the Luhansk region, have declared that Russian forces now have complete control over the Luhansk region in Ukraine, as reported on Russia's state-run Channel One on early July 2025[1][2].
If verified, this claim would mark the first time since the war began that Russia has full control over an entire Ukrainian region, excluding Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014[1][2]. Russia had previously claimed full control of Luhansk in July 2022 after seizing the city of Lysychansk, but Ukraine recaptured parts of the region during its counteroffensive in the fall of 2022. Since then, the territory control has fluctuated, with Moscow only claiming about 99% control earlier in 2025[1].
However, there has been no immediate confirmation or comment from Kyiv regarding this announcement, so the claim is currently based on statements from Russian-installed officials rather than independent verification[2].
In the past, official confirmation from Moscow usually followed shortly after success reports from local occupation authorities. The timeline of events suggests that such confirmation from the Russian Ministry of Defense may follow shortly.
The Luhansk region, located in eastern Ukraine, has reportedly been fully captured by Russia. The Ukrainian control in Luhansk is limited to a few square kilometers as of the report. Despite the Ukrainian counteroffensive, they only held a territory of a few square kilometers in the end.
Russian President Vladimir Putin considers the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as Russian territory. The statements about the full capture of Luhansk were made on Russian state television.
In summary:
- Russia claims full control of Luhansk (100%) as of July 2025. - Ukrainian response: No immediate official comment. - Historical context: Previously partial control; fluctuated since 2022 counteroffensive. - Significance: Would be first full regional occupation by Russia since Crimea 2014.
While the occupation authorities claim complete capture of Luhansk, independent confirmation remains pending, and the situation could still be fluid on the ground[1][2].
References: [1] BBC News. (2025). Russia claims full control of Luhansk in Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59961507 [2] Reuters. (2025). Russia's Pasechnik says Luhansk region fully under Moscow control. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-pasechnik-says-luhansk-region-fully-under-moscow-control-2025-07-01/
- The recent assertion by Russia's occupation authorities, led by Leonid Pasechnik, could potentially mark a significant shift in the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, as they claim full control over the Luhansk region, a claim yet to be confirmed independently.
- If verified, this development in Luhansk politics could signal a substantial expansion of Russia's general-news headlines, being the first time since the conflict began that Russia has full control over an entire Ukrainian region, excluding Crimea, underscoring its strategic importance.
