Russia’s Defence Ministry says its forces have fully taken control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region, though Ukraine has not confirmed this.

The claim suggests Russia has secured an area it had not fully controlled since the start of its 2022 invasion.

Moscow also reported capturing additional villages in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions.

The Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from the entire Donbas region, which Kyiv rejects, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Ukraine’s president says Russia is increasing pressure but insists any ceasefire must be based on current front lines.