Following Russia’s successful capture of the city of Lysychansk, Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to continue the offensive in Ukraine
The capture of this city means Russia now controls all of the Luhansk region.
The governor says the region is now abandoned and therefore Russian forces will not destroy it.
He says losing the city and Luhansk as a whole was painful, but is optimistic, noting this is just one battle.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes Ukrainian forces will retake the region, thanks in part to the increase in the supply of modern weapons.
In a televised address, Putin says his troops must carry out their tasks according to previously approved plans.
