Russia's Success In Conquering Luhansk Is Also Celebrated From Space

Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Russian troops are said to have taken control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine after capturing the last stronghold, Lysychansk. And this success is also celebrated from outer space.

Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station on Monday celebrated Russia's success over the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk.

Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, described Moscow's seizure of the Luhansk region as "a day of liberation to celebrate both on Earth and in space".

The agency posted pictures of cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveev and Sergei Korsakov smiling as they raised Russia's proxy flags in eastern Ukraine, the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic.

"This is the long-awaited day that the residents of the occupied area in the Luhansk region have been waiting for for eight years," Roscosmos wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"We are sure that July 3, 2022, will forever remain in the history of the (Luhansk People's) Republic."

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin that Luhansk had been "liberated", the Russian defense ministry said.

The statement came after Moscow said its troops had captured the villages around Lysychansk and laid siege to the city.

Defense Minister Shoigu said Russian troops and their allies in the region had "complete control of the city of Lysyschansk". But the Ukrainian military has not responded to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, before Russia announced its latest achievements, the Governor of Luhansk Serhiy Gaida wrote on the Telegram application that Russian troops were strengthening positions in the Lysychansk region.

"The city is on fire," said Gaida. "They attacked the city using brutal tactics."