Ukrainian forces withdraw from southern Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region, to avoid encirclement

Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, stated this during a telethon.

“Ukrainian forces are holding some positions within the settlement, but these are closer to its outskirts. Any further actions could have led to their encirclement and unnecessary losses among Ukrainian defenders,” he said.

Trehubov clarified that Russian forces have currently “occupied a significant part” of Velyka Novosilka, while Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding certain lines within the village to prevent the enemy from advancing further.

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.

• The Russian Ministry of Defense is actively spreading information about the capture of the village of Velyka Novosilka in Ukraine's Donetsk region, likely as part of a large-scale information strategy aimed at reducing Western support for Ukraine