Ukraine has once again lost a region, and the Luhansk region is now fully under Russian control. Pasetsky made a television speech: Luhansk has been completely liberated.
In the continuous warfare in eastern Ukraine, a piece of land quietly changed hands — the Luhansk region has fallen completely into Russian control. When the artillery ceased and the smoke cleared, the fate of this land was shrouded in heavy shadows. Russia claims "liberation," while Ukraine loses a defensive line, and the international community can only helplessly condemn and impose sanctions. What will be the next step in this war? How much more can Ukraine endure losing? The truth lies beneath the ruins, waiting for us to uncover.
The Luhansk region is located in eastern Ukraine, bordering Russia, and its geographical position makes it a strategic location. Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014, the region has been deeply involved in conflict. At that time, pro-Russian separatists in the Luhansk region declared the establishment of the "Luhansk People's Republic" and engaged in fierce fighting with the Ukrainian government forces. Over the years, there have been repeated back-and-forth between ceasefire and conflict, and the situation has never truly stabilized.
In February 2022, Russia formally recognized the independence of the "Luhansk People's Republic" and used this as an excuse to launch a full-scale military operation against Ukraine. Russia's strategic intent is clear: by controlling eastern Ukraine, it aims to consolidate its geopolitical influence and weaken Ukraine's national sovereignty. The international community has reacted differently; Western countries have tried to curb Russia through economic sanctions and military aid, while other countries have remained neutral, making the situation increasingly complex.
After the outbreak of the war, the Luhansk region quickly became one of the main battlefields. Local infrastructure suffered serious damage, and residents' lives fell into hardship. The Ukrainian army tried to maintain the front lines, but under the military superiority of Russia, the pressure continued to increase. This conflict is not just a confrontation between the two countries, but also a microcosm of great power rivalry.
On June 30, 2025, the leader of the "Luhansk People's Republic," Pasetsky, delivered a speech on the Russian state television, declaring that the entire Luhansk region is now under Russian control, calling it "completely liberated." This statement marks an important turning point in the conflict in the region since 2014, and also means another major setback for Ukraine on the eastern front.
Before this, the Russian army gradually increased the military pressure on the Luhansk region. In the early stages of the war in 2022, the Russian army focused on capturing some key cities in the region, and then gradually expanded its control area. The Ukrainian army put up a strong resistance despite limited resources, especially showing a strong will in the struggle for some strategic locations. However, over time, problems such as insufficient supplies and exhausted troops gradually emerged, and the defense capability of Ukraine was continuously weakened.
Russia, on the other hand, steadily consolidated its occupation of the Luhansk region through continuous military investment. Finally, in the middle of 2025, the Ukrainian army was forced to withdraw from the main areas of the region, and Russia announced full control. This result was not sudden, but the inevitable outcome of years of conflict.
The fall of the Luhansk region is a heavy blow to Ukraine. As an important part of the east, the loss of this region not only weakens Ukraine's territorial integrity, but also further undermines its national security system. The retreat of the eastern front has placed Ukraine in a more passive military position. At the same time, the economic recession caused by the war has worsened, and energy crises and food shortages have made the lives of ordinary people unbearable. The Ukrainian government faces dual pressures from within and outside, and how to continue the war becomes a difficult question.
For Russia, controlling the Luhansk region seems like a victory, but the cost is equally high. The war has consumed a large amount of human and material resources, and the economy has stagnated due to international sanctions, and domestic dissatisfaction is also growing. Although occupying the Luhansk region has enhanced Russia's strategic position in the short term, whether the long-term benefits can offset the losses remains unknown. Russia must face how to govern this land that has been ravaged by war and how to deal with the continued isolation from the international community.
The international community also played a complex role in this event. Western countries have increased the intensity of sanctions against Russia and provided more aid to Ukraine, but these measures have not been able to prevent the fall of the Luhansk region. The United Nations and other international organizations have called for a ceasefire and negotiations, but with little effect. The continued escalation of the war has exposed the fragility of the global governance system and made people feel pessimistic about the future of peace.
The fate of the Luhansk region is just a microcosm of the war in Ukraine. The direction of this conflict is still uncertain. Can Ukraine recover the lost territories? Will Russia's expansionist ambitions stop here? How will the international community balance sanctions and dialogue? These questions will be gradually revealed in the future.
The fall of the Luhansk region is both a wound for Ukraine and a warning for the international order. The cost of the war is shocking, yet it seems to have no end in sight. How do we view the essence of this conflict? What can ordinary people do for the people of Ukraine who are suffering? We welcome your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836607561001996/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.