After capturing the strategically important city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine, Russia has announced the continuation of the offensive in other parts of the neighbouring country.
The Russian troops have completely transported the Luhansk oblast (region).
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are ongoing with the military special operation,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu said Monday at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Moscow only talks about a “special operation” in Ukraine and not about a war. The Russian troops must “carry out their missions according to the plans already approved,” Putin said. I hope that in their sectors everything will go as in Luhansk.”
With the capture of Lysychansk and associated control of all of Luhansk, the Kremlin achieved an important war goal. In neighbouring Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainians still control large areas. Luhansk and Donetsk form the Donbas, a mining region in eastern Ukraine. The Russian troops want to completely conquer the area.
More than 2,200 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 3,200 injured in the fighting in Luhansk, Shoigu said. Those statements cannot be independently verified. He made no statements about the losses in his own ranks.
Putin also stated that Russian soldiers involved in the capture of Luhansk must now first “rest” to prepare for further fighting. Two generals received the insignia “Hero of Russia”.