Russia has declared complete control over Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, marking a significant moment in the ongoing war more than three years after its full-scale invasion began.

Moscow-Backed Leader Declares 'Full Liberation'

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-installed head of the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic,” announced on Russian state television that “the territory of the Luhansk People’s Republic is fully liberated—100%.” His claim, made public on July 1, 2025, signals that Russian forces now maintain undisputed presence across the entire Luhansk region.

There was no immediate confirmation from Russia’s Ministry of Defense, and Kyiv has not commented directly on the announcement.

First Region Fully Under Russian Control Since Crimea

Luhansk, spanning over 26,700 square kilometers, is the first region in Ukraine to fall completely under Russian control since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared in September 2022 that Luhansk, along with Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, was being incorporated into Russia—moves condemned as illegal by Western states and most of the international community.

Kyiv Dismisses Russian Claims

Ukraine continues to reject Russian sovereignty over any part of its internationally recognized territory. “Russia's claims to Luhansk and other areas of Ukraine are groundless and illegal,” Ukrainian officials stated, vowing never to recognize Moscow’s authority over those regions.

Moscow, by contrast, insists these territories are permanently part of the Russian Federation and fall under its nuclear protection umbrella.

A Long Battle Rooted in 2014 Conflict

Luhansk, alongside neighboring Donetsk, has been a flashpoint of conflict since 2014, following the Maidan Revolution and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces have clashed continuously in the region for more than a decade. The city of Toshkivka, cited in recent images, exemplifies the destruction wrought by Russia’s push to consolidate its hold.

According to Russian sources, Moscow now controls nearly 19% of what the world recognizes as Ukrainian territory, including most of Luhansk and Donetsk, and parts of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk.

From Empire to Proxy Control

Historically part of the Russian Empire, Luhansk became part of the Soviet Union in 1922 as a component of the Ukrainian SSR. Its current status reflects years of contested identity and violent shifts in control. After the fall of Ukraine’s pro-Russian government in 2014, the region became a focal point for Russian-backed separatist movements, culminating in the current de facto annexation.