Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region but Kyiv denies it ahead of US envoy talks - Yahoo

Russia claims it has achieved full control of Ukraine's Luhansk region, a major eastern territory that has been a focal point of fighting since Moscow's 2022 invasion. Ukraine's government disputes the Russian assertion, suggesting the claim is premature or exaggerated as fighting continues in the area. The competing claims arrive as a U.S. envoy is preparing talks, potentially signaling an attempt by the Trump administration to engage on the conflict. Luhansk is one of four regions Russia has declared annexed but does not fully control, making command of the territory strategically and symbolically significant. The timing underscores how battlefield claims and diplomatic efforts are now moving in parallel as discussions about Ukraine's future intensify.