The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Sunday that Sergei Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on retaking control of the whole Lugansk region from Ukrainian forces.

In a statement, the Ministry said, "Today, July 3, 2022, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Army General S.K. Shoigu, reported to Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin on the liberation of the Luhansk People's Republic [LPR]."

Read more: Allied Russian, LPR forces have full control of Lysychansk

According to Shoigu, as quoted by the Ministry, full control over the city of Lysychansk and a number of nearby towns, the largest of which were Bilohorivka, Novodruzhes'k, Maloryazantseve, and Bila Hora, was established after successful military efforts of the Russian army, alongside the combat units of the LPR forces.

The entire size of the territory captured on the last day was 182 square kilometers (70 square miles), according to the statement.

The Russian armed forces liberated Zolotarivka, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday, and all that was left was Bilogorivka, which is six kilometers away from the then-surrounded city of Lysychansk.

LISICHANSK HAS BEEN LIBERATED pic.twitter.com/xTTuGK8o6f

— Levi (@Levi_godman) July 2, 2022