Putin Declares 'Full Liberation' of Luhansk as Russia Claims Total Control

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially declared that the "full liberation" of the Luhansk People's Republic has been completed, signaling a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a temporary command post on Friday, Putin confirmed that Russian military units have successfully executed the operational plans devised by the General Staff of the Armed Forces, effectively securing total control over the region.

The announcement underscores Russia's claim of complete dominance over Luhansk, a region that has been a focal point of the war since 2014. Putin noted that while the Luhansk campaign is now finished, the elimination of Ukrainian military formations continues across the Donetsk People's Republic, as well as in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This development follows previous referendums and Putin's 2022 proclamation of annexation, which the international community has consistently condemned as illegal.

Historical context reveals that the Luhansk People's Republic first declared independence in the spring of 2014, leading to an eight-year conflict before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The 2026 declaration of "full liberation" represents the culmination of years of military operations, with Russia's Defense Ministry previously stating on April 1, 2026, that the region was fully liberated. As tensions remain high, this claim of total control is expected to further escalate diplomatic friction with Western nations and the European Union.