Putin congratulates the Russian army on victory in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Russian troops on "achieving victory" in the Luhansk region of Ukraine.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu briefed Putin on Russian advances in the region at a meeting televised by Russian state media.

“As of June 19, [Russian] formations and military units ... in cooperation with units of the second corps of the People's Militia of the [self-proclaimed] Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) and with the support of the Southern Group of Forces ... successfully launched an offensive operation to liberate the territory of the Luhansk People's Republic,” Shoigu said.

Shoigu added that the Gorsky cauldron" Lysychansk and Severodonetsk regions were encircled within two weeks, and the Ukrainian army allegedly lost 5,469 soldiers in the fighting.

Putin told Shoigu that the military personnel who contributed to the fighting in LPR will be rewarded for their "bravery" and that they should "rest" now.

Other military units, including the East and West military groups, must perform their duties according to the previously proposed plan,” Putin said. "I hope that everything will be as successful as it happened in the [Luhansk] region," he added.

Putin also praised the LPR militia for showing "heroism." "My congratulations and my words of thanks," Putin said. "I congratulate you all and wish you all the best."