Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's report during their meeting in the Kremlin on Monday
(Picture: AP)Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared victory in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, a day after Ukrainian forces withdrew from their last remaining stronghold of resistance in the province.
Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, reported to Mr Putin in a televised meeting on Monday that Russian forces had taken control of Luhansk, which together with the neighbouring Donetsk province makes up Ukraine's industrial heartland of Donbas.
