Russia deploys more troops and claims progress in east Ukraine

Civilian militia men hold shotguns during training at a shooting range in outskirts Kyiv, Ukraine (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

Russia claimed on Tuesday it has occupied large swathes of eastern Ukraine after a relentless, weeks-long barrage and the recent deployment of more troops.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow’s forces have “liberated” 97% of the Luhansk region.