Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu has said that the Russian military is close to taking control of the Luhansk Region.
In recent days, there have been fierce battles near the town of Severodonetsk, and Russian troops are also advancing near the town of Popasna. There are reports of heavy destruction and civilian casualties.
Russian troops now control approximately 90 percent of Luhansk oblast. U.S. experts from ISW previously wrote that the capture of Severodonetsk is the main task of Russian troops in the near future after a plan to sweep the entire Ukrainian troop grouping in Donbass failed.
The Russian defense minister also said that due to the strengthening and possible expansion of NATO, 12 new units will be created in the Western Military District by the end of the year. This is the first concrete measure announced by the Russian authorities in connection with the possible accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.
In recent days, there have been fierce battles near the town of Severodonetsk, and Russian troops are also advancing near the town of Popasna. There are reports of heavy destruction and civilian casualties.
Russian troops now control approximately 90 percent of Luhansk oblast. U.S. experts from ISW previously wrote that the capture of Severodonetsk is the main task of Russian troops in the near future after a plan to sweep the entire Ukrainian troop grouping in Donbass failed.
The Russian defense minister also said that due to the strengthening and possible expansion of NATO, 12 new units will be created in the Western Military District by the end of the year. This is the first concrete measure announced by the Russian authorities in connection with the possible accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.