Russia claims completion of Lugansk liberation; reports advances in Kharkov, Zaporizhzhia
Russia's Defense Ministry claims completion of Lugansk People's Republic liberation and reports taking two additional communities in neighboring Kharkov and Zaporizhzhia regions over 24 hours. The claim lacks independent corroboration and reflects the contested nature of front-line control in eastern Ukraine. This represents an incremental claim consistent with ongoing Russian military reporting patterns.