Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces on Monday to continue their offensive in eastern Ukraine, after conquering the entire Luhansk region.
Russian forces “must lead carry out their missions according to previously approved plans”, Putin declared, during a meeting with his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, broadcast on television.
“I hope that everything goes well in your direction as it happened in Luhansk so far”, he added.
Shoigu told Putin this weekend that Russian troops had complete control of the Luhansk region, a major victory for the Kremlin more than four months after the start of a military offensive in Ukraine.
Congratulates his soldiers
Likewise, Putin congratulated his military and militias for the “liberation” of the eastern Ukrainian region, which Moscow recognizes as an independent state, and said he expects the same successes on other fronts.
“I ask you to present for your decoration all the soldiers who distinguished themselves in these combat actions,” said the president in a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigú, images of which were broadcast by Russian state television.
Having abandoned its initial goal of capturing the capital kyiv after stiff Ukrainian resistance, Russia focused its efforts on gaining control ol total Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east of the country.