Russia claimed yesterday that it has assumed control over almost all of Luhansk province in Eastern Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, Moscow's forces now control 97% of Luhansk province, part of the Donbas region.<br />''<br />''Shoigu said, Russian troops were also advancing toward the town of Popasna, and they have taken control of Lyman and Sviatohirsk and 15 other towns in the region.<br />''<br />''However, Ukrainian officials said, their troops are standing their ground in fierce fighting with Moscow's forces in the streets of the region's key industrial city of Sievierodonetsk.<br />''<br />''Russian attacks and Ukrainian counter-attacks have been reported in the city over the past several days during fierce fighting.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The battle for Sievierodonetsk is crucial to Moscow's attempt to assume full domination over Luhansk province. Both Russia and Ukraine claim to have inflicted huge casualties on each other.</span><br />