The Russian cosmonauts who were praised for appearing to show their support for their invaded neighbours with yellow and blue space suits have been pictured holding the flags of the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk.

The flags of the two occupied territories, which are recognised as legitimate authorities only by Russia and Syria among UN member states, are held by three people.

The Russian cosmonauts also posed on board the ISS with the flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in occupied Ukraine, which is Russia’s other military target in the Donbas.

The cosmonauts also posed onboard the ISS with the flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, which is Russia’s other military target in the Donbas. Photograph: Roscosmos

The Luhansk People's Republic celebrated liberation day. On Earth and in space, we celebrate.

On the new Day of the Great Victory, the head of the LPR, Leonid Pasechnik, sent his best wishes to the people of Russia.

The residents of the occupied areas of the Luhansk region have been waiting for a long time. In the history of the republic, 3 July 2022 will be the day. The citizens of the People's Republic are waiting.

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It was widely seen as a message of solidarity when the three men emerged from their capsule in yellow uniforms after joining the International Space Station. The cosmonauts were reticent about their interpretations of their uniforms. Artemyev stated that every crew chose their own suit.

Korsakov, Artemyev and Matveyev were the first new faces in space since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine and emerged from the Soyuz capsule in February wearing yellow flight suits with blue stripes, widely interpreted as the colours of the Ukrainian flag at the time.

Korsakov, Artemyev and Matveyev were the first new faces in space since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine and emerged from the Soyuz capsule in February wearing yellow flight suits with blue stripes, widely interpreted as the colours of the Ukrainian flag at the time. Photograph: AP

We picked a colour. He said that they had accumulated a lot of yellow material. That is the reason we wore yellow.

The flags of the two self-declared republics are on the International Space Station. The three Russian cosmonauts are joined at the station by four other people, including an American, an Italian and a Norwegian.

The Luhansk People's Republic claims to control almost all of the eastern oblast of Luhansk.