“The Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, reported to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the liberation of the Lugansk People’s Republic,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Army General Shoigu noted that as a result of successful hostilities, full control was established over Lisichansk and a number of nearby settlements.
The largest of them are Belogorovka, Novodruzhesk, Maloryazantsevo and Belaya Gora.
“The total area of territories liberated over the past 24 hours amounted to 182 square meters.
km," the ministry said.
On July 3, it became known that the troops of the "Center" grouping, together with the Southern grouping of troops, closed the encirclement around Lisichansk.
The Ukrainian grouping of troops is blocked in the Lysychansk cauldron; at present, the defeat of the surrounded enemy is being completed in the city.