Putin claims full control of Luhansk, most of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Thursday that Russia now has full control of the entire territory of Ukraine’s Luhansk region, and holds more than 85% of Donetsk and about 80% of Zaporizhzhia. Speaking to global news agency heads in St. Petersburg, Putin said Ukrainian forces once controlled 25% of Donetsk, but that figure has fallen to less than 15%.

Battlefield advances

“Just recently … the Russian army has brought approximately 2,440 square kilometres under its control. The offensive is taking place every day,” Putin said, adding that the situation on the battlefield is developing in Moscow’s favour. He acknowledged that Ukrainian drone attacks are causing damage inside Russia but argued that Kyiv lacks the types of weapons available to Moscow, while Russia has its own industrial base, resources, personnel, and technological expertise for weapons production.

Readiness for talks

Putin said Russia is “undoubtedly ready and wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means” based on the Anchorage agreements he reached with US President Donald Trump in 2025 in Alaska. He said Moscow is prepared to make compromises, but Kyiv would also need to agree to them, and the war could end in the near future if Ukraine accepts the compromises.