The Russian Defense Ministry announced the complete capture of Luhansk, claiming the seizure of the last two remaining settlements in the area. Luhansk, one of four eastern Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia in 2022, remains a focal point of the ongoing conflict. Concurrently, Ukrainian authorities reported at least five fatalities from renewed drone strikes, with over 360 Russian drones launched, most of which were intercepted. A drone explosion in the Cherkasy region resulted in four deaths, according to local officials.