On July 3, local time, Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said that the Russian army and the Luhansk armed forces have completely controlled the city of Lisichansk in the Luhansk region.
The city of Lisichansk is the last city controlled by the Ukrainian army in the Luhansk region. Russian media said that this means that the Russian side has complete control of the Luhansk region.
Later in the day, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces issued an announcement confirming the loss of control of Lisichansk.
Following the conclusion of the important battle in Lysichansk, the Ukrainian army has been forced to withdraw from its positions, the announcement said.
After the fighting in Lisichansk came to an end, the Luhansk armed forces said on the 3rd that the battle for Seversk in the Donetsk region has begun.
Seversk is located in the west of Lisichansk, about 30 kilometers from Lisichansk.
In addition, the Ukrainian Pravda reported on the 3rd that Slavyansk in the Donetsk region was heavily shelled by the Russian army that day.
The mayor of Slavyansk said that this was the largest shelling the city has suffered in recent times.
(produced by Liu Peng)
Responsible editor: [Ji Xiang]