Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the liberation of settlements Arkhanhelske and Myrolyubikva from Russia in his daily address.
In his address on Sunday night, Mr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to punish those who had organised the referendums in his country.
He said:"Recently, someone somewhere held pseudo-referendums, and when the Ukrainian flag is returned, no one remembers the Russian farce with some pieces of paper and some annexations."Except, of course, law enforcement agencies of Ukraine. Because everyone who is involved in any elements of aggression against our state will be accountable for it."Russia said it would be consulting the residents on the exact borders of the newly-annexed Ukrainian regions.
The retaking of Lyman was a key victory for Kyiv's forces and can be used as a launching point for further attacks to cut off Russia's supply lines.