Russian President Vladimir Putin urged military leaders to carry out an operational pause in Ukraine after the seizure of two key areas near the border.
While meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin said all units involved in the Luhansk offensive should pause to “build up strength,” according to state media.
“The units that took part in active hostilities and achieved success, victories in the Luhansk direction, of course, should rest, increase their combat capabilities,” Putin said.
Over the past weekend, Russia’s military forced Ukrainian troops to retreat in Lysychansk, one of the last cities under Kyiv’s control in Luhansk. Both Luhansk and Donetsk are located in the eastern region known as Donbas….