Luhansk province is under Russian military control
Russia says it has completely captured Luhansk province, which also includes the city of Luhansk in Ukraine.
It is also reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Russian soldiers for taking over Luhansk province.
The city of Luhansk and its province belong to the Donbas region of Ukraine. Donbass is in eastern Ukraine bordering Russia.
Russian-speaking people of Russian origin live in this Donbas province. The two main cities and provinces of the Donbass province are Luhansk and Donetsk.
Luhansk and Donetsk are pro-Russian. They are willing to seek help from Russia and demand independent governance. Even now, Russia recognizes Luhansk and Donetsk as autonomous regions that do not belong to Ukraine.
Russian President Putin has instructed his army to capture the Donetsk province, which belongs to the city of Donetsk, just as Luhansk province belongs to the city of Luhansk.
(AFP)