"Units of the Western Group of Forces have completely liberated the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR). Russian forces also gained control of two additional settlements: Verkhnyaya Pisarevka in Kharkiv province and Boykovo in Zaporizhzhia province", Russia's Ministry of Defense stated on 1/4.

The LPR is how Russia refers to Luhansk province, one of two areas in the Donbas region.

Russian artillery fires towards Ukraine in 4/2025. Photo: Russia's Ministry of Defense

Ukrainian officials subsequently rejected Russia's claims. The Ukrainian military affirmed that its forces remain present in Luhansk and are holding "the last lines of defense" in the area. A Ukrainian military spokesperson told Reuters that "no significant changes on the battlefield" have occurred in Luhansk over the past six months.

Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade reported that its units are still operating in the province, describing Russia's statement as a "psychological operation".

Over 99% of Luhansk's territory is currently under Russian control, with a small western portion remaining contested. War monitoring groups indicate that some areas in Luhansk are still "gray zones", areas of ongoing fighting not decisively controlled by either side.

Location of Luhansk province. Graphic: RYV

The Kremlin has consistently demanded that Ukraine withdraw all forces from the remaining Donbas region to end the "hot phase" of the conflict. Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested that prospects for diplomatic solutions, including ending hostilities, would improve if Kyiv decided to withdraw its troops.

Kyiv has repeatedly rejected this demand, deeming it non-negotiable. President Volodymyr Zelensky said last weekend that Russia issued an ultimatum demanding Ukraine withdraw its troops from Donbas within two months, or Moscow would increase its demands in peace negotiations brokered by Washington.

Thanh Danh (According to TASS, Reuters, Kyiv Independent)