Key Points
- Leonid Pasechnik, the Moscow-appointed leader of Luhansk, announced Russia now has "100% control" of the region.
- This is the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russian forces since the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
- The claim follows more than three years of war since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in February 2022.
- Ukraine has not confirmed the loss of the entire region and continues to reject Russia’s claims as illegal.
- Western governments and most of the international community do not recognize Russia’s annexation of Luhansk and other Ukrainian territories.
- The announcement coincided with a visit by Germany’s foreign minister to Kyiv, who pledged further support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.
- Russia claims nearly 19% of internationally recognized Ukrainian territory is under its control.
- The fate of Luhansk and other occupied regions remains a central issue in ongoing and future peace talks.
- No immediate response from Ukraine’s government or military to the Russian claims as of publication.
- The Kremlin insists the region is now under Russian nuclear protection and will not be relinquished.
The declaration of full Russian control over Ukraine’s Luhansk region signals a significant moment in the ongoing war. If verified, this marks the first complete occupation of a Ukrainian region by Russia since Crimea in 2014. The move has intensified international scrutiny and is expected to influence both military actions and diplomatic efforts in the months ahead.
How Did Russia Announce Its Control Over Luhansk?
As reported by Reuters, Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-appointed leader of Luhansk, declared on Russian state television that the “territory of the Luhansk People’s Republic is fully liberated – 100%”. Pasechnik, who was born in Soviet Ukraine, made the statement during a broadcast on Channel One, Russia’s flagship state TV network. He emphasized that the report confirming total control had been received “just two days ago”.
The Moscow Times’ Arpan Rai and Rachel Clun further noted that if confirmed, this would make Luhansk the first Ukrainian region to fall entirely under Russian control since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously claimed in March 2025 that Moscow held 99% of the region, but this is the first time officials have asserted full control since the initial invasion.
What Is the Strategic and Symbolic Importance of Luhansk?
According to Reuters and The Independent, Luhansk covers an area of 26,700 square kilometers (10,308 square miles) and has been a focal point of conflict since 2014, when Russian-backed separatists began fighting Ukrainian forces following the ousting of a pro-Russian president in Kyiv. The region, together with neighboring Donetsk, forms the industrial heartland of eastern Ukraine and has been at the center of Russia’s efforts to expand its influence in the country.
The Independent highlights that Luhansk was among the first regions to see a major Russian advance at the start of the 2022 war, but Ukraine had managed to retain small pockets of territory until recently. The Russian claim, if independently verified, would mark a significant territorial gain for Moscow and a symbolic blow to Ukrainian resistance.
How Has Ukraine Responded to Russia’s Claims?
As of the time of publication, there has been no immediate response from Ukraine’s government or military regarding the Russian announcement. Ukraine has consistently rejected Russia’s assertions over Luhansk and other occupied regions, labeling them as “unfounded and unlawful”. Kyiv has vowed never to recognize Russian control over these territories and continues to assert its sovereignty over all internationally recognized Ukrainian land.
What Has Been the International Reaction to the Occupation?
The annexation and occupation of Luhansk, along with Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, were widely condemned by Western governments and the broader international community. As reported by Reuters and The Independent, these actions are considered illegal under international law, and most countries refuse to recognize Russian sovereignty over the regions.
A historical perspective from Wikipedia notes that the international response to Russia’s territorial expansion in Ukraine has been overwhelmingly negative, with countries such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the United States calling for strong sanctions and condemning the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The European Union and the United States have repeatedly stated that they will not accept any changes to Ukraine’s borders imposed by force.
What Is Russia’s Position on the Annexed Territories?
As reported by Reuters and The Moscow Times, Russia maintains that Luhansk and the other annexed regions are now part of its territory, are under its nuclear protection, and will never be relinquished. During the 2022 ceremony for the signing of accession treaties, President Vladimir Putin declared,
“The choice of the people in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson will not be discussed. The decision has been made, and Russia will not betray it”.
Putin has dismissed calls for a ceasefire that do not include Moscow’s authority over the four annexed regions, insisting that the “free expression of the people’s will” must be respected. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that it will defend these territories with “all the forces and resources we have”.
How Did Luhansk’s Status Change Over the Course of the War?
According to The Moscow Times and Reuters, Russia previously claimed full control over Luhansk in July 2022, following the capture of the city of Lysychansk and surrounding towns. However, Ukraine recaptured Lysychansk and parts of the Luhansk region during a rapid counteroffensive in the fall of 2022, which also saw Kyiv regain large areas in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions.
The current claim of total occupation comes after months of incremental advances by Russian forces and follows a period in which Ukraine was able to hold onto small slivers of territory in Luhansk. The region’s fate is expected to be a central issue in any future peace negotiations.
What Are the Broader Implications for the Ukraine War?
The occupation of Luhansk represents a significant milestone for Russia, as it now claims to control nearly 19% of internationally recognized Ukrainian territory, including large portions of Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and other regions. The Independent notes that the fate of these territories is likely to be a key element in any future peace talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, fighting continues elsewhere along the front lines. The Ukrainian military recently reported pushing back Russian troops in the northeastern Sumy region, where Kyiv is preparing a counteroffensive following Russian advances. The ongoing conflict has resulted in massive destruction, displacement, and loss of life, with no clear end in sight.
What Support Is Ukraine Receiving from Its Allies?
As reported by the Associated Press, the Russian announcement coincided with a visit to Kyiv by Germany’s foreign minister, who pledged to help Ukraine accelerate its weapons production as part of efforts to strengthen its negotiating position in peace talks with Russia. Western countries continue to provide military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, although the scale and pace of support remain subjects of debate among allies.
What Happens Next for Luhansk and the Wider Region?
The future of Luhansk and other occupied regions remains uncertain. Russia insists that the territories are now irrevocably part of its federation, while Ukraine and its Western allies continue to reject any changes to Ukraine’s borders by force. The situation on the ground remains fluid, with the potential for further military escalation or renewed diplomatic efforts depending on developments in the coming weeks and months.
As the world watches, the fate of Luhansk stands as a stark symbol of the enduring and unresolved conflict at the heart of Europe.