Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region but Kyiv denies it ahead of US envoy talks
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- The Russian Defense Ministry claimed full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region, but Ukrainian officials denied this, stating only small areas remain under Russian control and are held by Ukrainian forces.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared for talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss potential trilateral negotiations amid ongoing conflict.
- Despite Russia’s claims of territorial gains, independent verification is lacking, and analysts suggest Ukrainian tactics are effectively disrupting Russian advances.
- Russian drone strikes continued to target central and western Ukraine, causing damage and casualties, while Ukraine’s air force reported downing nearly 300 drones overnight.
- Ukraine is cooperating with Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, to counter Iranian drone threats, and is in talks with several other Middle Eastern nations amid regional conflicts.
