Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Russian armed forces had completely occupied the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The total area occupied by the Russian military over the past day amounted to 182 square meters, according to Kommersant.

On February 21, Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. As the President of Russia later explained, the republics are recognized within the borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

As a result of the fighting over the past day, full control has been established over the city of Lisichansk and a number of nearby settlements, the largest of which are Belogorovka, Novodruzhesk, Maloryazantsevo and Belaya Gora, defense minister reported.