Shoigu on the Liberation of Luhansk

The liberation of the Luhansk People's Republic is nearing completion. This was announced on Friday by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergey Shoigu, during a meeting of the military department's collegium, according to TASS.

"The groups of the Russian Armed Forces, together with the units of the people's militia of the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, continue to expand control over the territories of Donbass. The liberation of the Luhansk People's Republic is nearing completion," he said.

According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, attempting to delay the advance of Russian troops, do not allow local residents to leave the cities and towns, using them as human shields.

"The Kyiv regime, suffering defeat on the ground, seeks to achieve at least short-term successes in some areas, presenting them as major victories," the minister emphasized.