Russian Forces Claim Control of Key Town in Eastern Ukraine
Russian military officials announced on Sunday that their forces have seized control of a strategically significant town in eastern Ukraine, marking a notable advance amid ongoing hostilities in the region. The town of Velyka Novosilka, which had a pre-war population of around 5,000, reportedly fell after a prolonged confrontation, although this assertion remains unverified by independent sources. Ukrainian authorities have countered that their troops executed a tactical withdrawal to prevent encirclement.
If verified, Velyka Novosilka would represent the first major town to fall to Russian forces in 2025 as Moscow intensifies its offensive in the eastern Donetsk area, which has been a focal point of conflict since the war began nearly three years ago.
According to a statement from the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Ukrainian forces strategically withdrew from certain sections of the town to avert being surrounded. Despite claiming that they maintain a balance with Russian forces in terms of artillery and drone capabilities, the brigade acknowledged a significant disadvantage in manpower.
"Our units have skillfully repositioned themselves based on the prevailing weather conditions to minimize losses and maximize enemy damage," the brigade elaborated. They emphasized that while their presence in the town is reduced, combat in Velyka Novosilka is still ongoing, and they are prepared to defend against further Russian advances.
Analysts have long anticipated that Russian forces would eventually capture Velyka Novosilka, given its proximity to the Dnipropetrovsk region, just 15 kilometers away. The brigade indicated that their strategic withdrawal could complicate Russian further advancements by using the river as a natural barrier.
The Russian military has previously claimed victories in other key locations, such as Avdiivka and Vuhledar, which also fell after extensive bombardment. Currently, Russian troops are focusing their efforts on capturing other vital strongholds in the Donetsk region, including Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar.
In a separate development, some Ukrainian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide support to war veterans and their families have reported a suspension of U.S. funding, which has forced them to halt various programs. This funding pause comes shortly after the new U.S. Secretary of State announced a 90-day freeze on foreign aid grants.
Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's assurances that military aid would continue, it remains unclear if humanitarian assistance is also affected. It is reported that Ukrainian NGOs reliant on U.S. funding have started receiving directives to pause their operations.
Veteran Hub, one such NGO that offers legal and psychological support to veterans, revealed on its social media that it had to suspend operations for two of its larger service units and is now seeking public donations for the first time since its inception in 2018, citing a need for support in light of the funding interruption.
The situation underscores a complex dynamic as both Moscow and Kyiv seek to establish advantageous positions ahead of any potential negotiations, amidst a backdrop of intensified military engagement. Over the past year, Russian forces have been aggressively attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses in the Donetsk region, leading to the loss of several towns and villages.
