Russian Forces Have Liberated Entire Lugansk People’s Republic: Putin
21:30 16.10.2026 (Updated: 22:34 16.10.2026)
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The Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) is completely under the control of the Russian Armed Forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
"The Lugansk People’s Republic is completely under our control," Putin said during a visit to an auxiliary command post of the Joint Group of Forces.
Approximately 6,500 square kilometers and over 300 populated areas have been liberated by the Russian military since the beginning of 2026, the president stated.
"Just over 10% of the territories of the Donetsk [People's] Republic and 16.5% of the Zaporozhye [also known as Zaporizhzhia] region remain under the control of the Kiev regime," he added.
The goal of the Russian armed forces is to ensure the absolute security of the country's border regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Let me remind you that following the incursion of the Ukrainian armed forces into the Kursk region, the Russian armed forces were tasked not only with driving the enemy from our land but also with establishing a security zone in the adjacent territory. This task is being successfully carried out. Our goal is to ensure the absolute security of Russia's border regions," Putin said during a visit to an auxiliary command post for the Joint Group of Forces.
During the meeting, the president proposed discussing issues related to providing the troops with what they need to successfully achieve their set objectives.
Russia continues to strike Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises in response to Kiev's attacks on industrial and energy enterprises, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"I would like to point out that, in response to the Kiev authorities' strikes on our industrial and energy-sector facilities, the Russian Armed Forces continue to strike enterprises of the military-industrial complex and infrastructure facilities in Ukraine," the president said during a visit to an auxiliary command post for the Joint Group of Forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed to improve the efficiency of work on protection of civilian and military facilities in Russia.
"We need to increase the effectiveness of the protection of our civilians, primarily civilians, but also, of course, military facilities," Putin said during a visit to the auxiliary command post of the united group of forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin noted positive dynamics in the actions of Russian battlegroups in the special military operation.
"Overall, I note positive momentum in the actions of groups of troops. The advance of the formations and military units of the armed forces is taking place along the entire front line," the president said during a visit to an auxiliary command post for the Joint Group of Forces.
Putin also highlighted the effectiveness of Russian strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities, saying that massive attacks against Ukraine's military-industrial complex must continue.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the encirclement and elimination of Ukrainian armed forces militants in the Kharkov (Kharkiv) region a success for the Sever (North) group of troops.
"During combat operations, blocking the enemy in various areas is nothing new, but encircling a group of around 2,000 people, or slightly more, and over an area of over 400 square kilometers, 460 square kilometers, is no ordinary event, considering the subsequent elimination of the enemy in this territory. It is a success, after all. Congratulations," Putin said at a meeting at the auxiliary command post of Russia's Joint Forces Group.
The Russian Northern group of troops continues to expand the buffer zone in border areas with Ukraine, Putin said, adding that the Russian forces are advancing confidently along the entire front.
Taking control of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) during the special military operation remains one of the primary objectives for Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Undoubtedly, one of the main objectives [of the special military operation] remains the liberation of the Donetsk People's Republic," Putin said during a visit to an auxiliary command post for the Joint Group of Forces.
Ukrainian forces control 2,700 square kilometers (1,042 square miles) in the DPR, while Russia has taken control of more than 2,000 square kilometers this year alone, the president also said.
“The offensive is developing at a high pace in the Zaporozhye [also known as Zaporizhzhia] region, where the troops of the Dnepr and Vostok [East] battlegroups are successfully advancing,” Putin said.
The security zone in the areas bordering Ukraine has been significantly expanded over the last few months, the president continued.
"Overall, the air defense combat crews are operating professionally... However, there is certainly room for improvement. We need to enhance the effectiveness of their operations to protect our civilian, primarily civilian, as well as, of course, our military facilities," Putin said.
