Russian Troops Advance in Eastern Ukraine, Target Luhansk
Current Situation
Russian troops are reportedly on the verge of taking control of the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, an important target for Moscow's military campaign.
The Donbas, a sprawling and beleaguered heartland region in eastern Ukraine, has suffered years of conflict and is now the main focus of the fierce fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Background
The conflict in the Donbas began in 2014 when Russia-backed separatists seized control of parts of the region following Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Renewed negotiations to end the conflict are on the horizon, but the views of those most affected by the war remain crucial.
Escalating Tensions
In recent weeks, Russian troops have intensified their offensive in the Donbas, seeking to gain full control of the region.
The conflict has claimed more than 14,000 lives since 2014, with the majority being combatants.
The capture of Luhansk would give Russia a significant strategic advantage and would help secure a land corridor to Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
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