Capture of Velyka Novosilka, Kurakhove poses risk of losing southern Donetsk region - military analyst

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

The Russians claim to have captured Velyka Novosilka, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to avoid encirclement.

“The Ukrainian army needs to retreat to prepared positions and continue to hold the southern part of the Donetsk region. The loss of Velyka Novosilka, as well as Kurakhove earlier (which, by the way, has not been officially confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff), creates a threat to the security of the southern Donetsk region. This is dangerous and lays the groundwork for a potential advance toward Zaporizhzhia if the enemy has the necessary resources for such an operation,” military observer Popovych stated.

Situation in Velyka Novosilka

On December 7, 2024, reports emerged of increased Russian activity south of Velyka Novosilka.

On January 18, DeepState reported that active combat in Velyka Novosilka had begun in the morning, with Russian forces attacking the areas around a dairy plant, a gas station, a dormitory, and an airfield.

By January 19, it became known that on the Novopavlivka front, Russian troops were conducting offensive operations aimed at blocking Velyka Novosilka, taking advantage of adverse weather conditions.

On January 23, Viktor Trehubov warned of the risk of operational encirclement near Velyka Novosilka. The Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group also stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had prepared measures to address a potential deterioration in the tactical situation.

On January 25, Oleksii Hetman, a reserve major in the National Guard of Ukraine and a veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian war, noted that less than 2 kilometers remained between two Russian groupings near Velyka Novosilka.

The following day, the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after General Marko Bezruchko, reported that upon entering Velyka Novosilka, Russian forces found themselves in a fire trap set by Ukrainian troops.

On January 27, Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, stated that Ukrainian troops had withdrawn from the southern part of Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region to avoid encirclement.

• On January 26, Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade released a statement addressing the situation in Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region. Meanwhile, the Russian command also issued a report concerning the settlement