Russia Orders Operational Pause , in Invasion of Ukraine, After Major Victory .<br />On July 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin <br />ordered a pause in the invasion of Ukraine <br />for Russian forces to "build up strength.".<br />'Newsweek' reports that the announcement <br />comes after Moscow claimed a major victory <br />in capturing Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region. .<br />Putin made the announcement <br />during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu. .<br />The units that took part in active <br />hostilities and achieved success, victories <br />in the Luhansk direction, of course, should <br />rest, increase their combat capabilities, Vladimir Putin, Russian President, via 'Newsweek'.<br />On July 3, Ukrainian forces were forced<br />to withdraw from Lysychansk, the last <br />Ukraine-controlled city in the Luhansk region. .<br />On July 3, Ukrainian forces were forced<br />to withdraw from Lysychansk, the last <br />Ukraine-controlled city in the Luhansk region. .<br />Russian troops that fought through <br />Severodonetsk and Lysychansk very likely <br />do need a significant period in which <br />to rest and refit before resuming <br />large-scale offensive operations, The Institute for the Study of War (IWS), via 'Newsweek'.<br />It is not clear, however, that the Russian military will accept the risks of a long enough operational pause to allow these likely exhausted forces to regain their strength, The Institute for the Study of War (IWS), via 'Newsweek'.<br />It is not clear, however, that the Russian military will accept the risks of a long enough operational pause to allow these likely exhausted forces to regain their strength, The Institute for the Study of War (IWS), via 'Newsweek'.<br />Putin also ordered soldiers who <br />"distinguished themselves" in seizing Luhansk<br />be rewarded for their service.<br />On July 5, Putin awarded the "Hero of Russia" <br />title to Major General Esedulla Abachev <br />and Colonel General Alexander Lapin.<br />According to state-run news agency TASS, <br />both soldiers played key roles <br />in the capture of Luhansk.
