After conquering the strategically important city Lysychansk In the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, Russia has announced that fighting will continue in other parts of the neighboring country. “The armed forces of the Russian Federation are continuing the special military operation,” said Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a meeting with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. In Moscow, the war against Ukraine that began around four and a half months ago is officially referred to as a “special operation.”
With the capture of Lysychansk and the associated control over the entire Luhansk region, the Kremlin achieved one of its most important war goals. In the neighboring Donetsk region, on the other hand, the Ukrainians still control large parts. Shoigu said more than 2,200 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 3,200 injured in the fighting in Luhansk. This could not be verified independently. Moscow did not provide any information on losses in its own ranks.
Putin says Russian soldiers who took part in the capture of Luhansk should now “rest” to gather strength for further fighting. The head of the Kremlin also awarded two generals the “Hero of Russia” medal.