January 22-29 live war map: Russia shifts focus to Toretsk, Chasiv Yar after capturing Velyka Novosilka

At the same time, the Russian offensive is significantly slowing down across all sectors, from the Kursk region to the post-Kurakhove front. Changes on the map are minimal, indicating that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have managed to slow down the Russian advance, with signs of stabilization appearing on many fronts.

A major development was the appointment of Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi as head of the operational-strategic troop grouping Khortytsia, responsible for the front line from Dvorichna in the Kharkiv region to Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia region. This means he now oversees the most active part of the front. Notably, before being appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi held this very position.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Velyka Novosilka falls – what comes next?

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have fully withdrawn from Velyka Novosilka, successfully exiting encirclement. The last stronghold on the southern Donetsk front, which had been holding out since the start of the full-scale invasion, has fallen. It seemed like the Russians now had vast opportunities for a large-scale advance towards the Dnipropetrovsk region and beyond, much like after the fall of Vuhledar—with daily rapid Russian troop progress to the west.

However, the situation is different now. The Russians have failed to break through either along the Velyka Novosilka – Huliaipole route or through the northern road out of the town. Moreover, the invaders who entered the streets of the town are unable to push further to develop their success. Russian troops, now trapped between the Mokri Yaly and Kashlahach rivers, have become easy targets for Ukrainian artillery and mortars.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Despite a decrease in combat engagements in this sector, it is clear that the Russians are preparing for their next moves: to attack northward and maintain the encirclement of Pokrovsk or to advance westward, threatening Huliaipole. By tracking their movements, we will soon learn more.

Post-Kurakhove sector

Over the week, this section of the front has been one of the most stable, especially in the southern part, thanks to the Ukrainian military. In Zelenivka, the Russians attempted counterattacks several times but were eliminated. The invaders managed to expand their foothold on the northern bank of the Sukhi Yaly River from Zelenivka to Yantarne, but their advance was less than a kilometer. At the tip of the post-Kurakhove pocket, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding off the attack in Dachne. Although the Russians managed to enter the northern and southern outskirts of the village, the Defense Forces still control over 80% of it.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

The situation is developing most dynamically near Andriivka, which is one of the key points in Ukrainian defense on this axis. After the counteroffensive in Shevchenko, the Ukrainian Armed Forces created a five-kilometer "death zone" between Shevchenko and Andriivka. Few Russian infantrymen can make it through this distance unscathed. This, in fact, serves as a local micro-prototype of the future ideal frontline, which is maintained not just by infantry but primarily through fire control.

Despite this, Russian forces continue to send wave after wave of troops to assault Andriivka. Some of them are trying to secure positions within the village. They have no control and are hiding in basements, but we have marked their presence on the map. The Russians cannot break through our defense, so they are once again attempting to bypass it. In this area, Russian troops are moving forward between Slovianka and Petropavlivske. Over the week, they advanced by 3 km and will soon be able to threaten Andriivka from the north as well.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Novopavlivka front moves closer to Dnipropetrovsk region

On a 20-kilometer section of the front between Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, Russian forces continue advancing westward toward the Dnipropetrovsk region. They are now 5 to 18 kilometers from the regional border. While it's likely they will cross this imaginary line to make headlines, strategically, this direction holds little promise for them. A more important priority for the Russian army is securing their flanks to be able to encircle Pokrovsk from the west.

Over the week, the Russians managed to encircle and partially seize Novoandriivka, advance 500 meters from Novoielyzavetivka to Nadiivka, and begin taking control of the area between Novoielyzavetivka and Novoandriivka. Their offensive pace on this part of the front is very slow, indicating a shift in priorities within the Russian command. In Uspenivka, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled all attacks and did not retreat a single meter.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Pokrovsk stands firm against ongoing assaults

Changes on the map around Pokrovsk are minimal, indicating that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have managed to stabilize the front. The Russians continue to focus on the flanks while keeping the Ukrainian Defense Forces under constant pressure in the center.

In Udachne, the defense has held firm. As a result, Russian forces attempted to bypass the village from the south and east, aiming to encircle it from the north. However, Ukrainian troops have taken advantageous positions near the coal mine.

The neighboring village of Kotlyne is almost entirely occupied, yet the Defense Forces are preventing Russian troops from fully securing it, leaving much of it in the gray zone. In Zvirove, the Russian offensive has so far been halted by Ukrainian defenses.

On the opposite flank, the Russians are still unsuccessfully trying to cut the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway. While the Ukrainian Armed Forces repel their attacks wave after wave, Russian forces are expanding their control around Vozdvyzhenka and attempting to advance toward Baranivka and Yelyzavetivka. However, they have achieved no significant results on either front.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Toretsk nears occupation, Chasiv Yar holds the line

Despite Ukrainian forces successfully holding the flanks around Toretsk, the invading Russian forces continue advancing toward the city's western outskirts. Over the past week, Russian troops have pushed further along the central streets and reached the city's edge. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding defensive positions around three key spoil heaps on the southern and northern outskirts. Russian forces have approached these critical defense points and begun direct battles for them. They have also expanded the gray zone to include the villages of Krymske and Dachne, north of Toretsk.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Looking ahead, Russian forces aim to deepen their penetration into Ukraine's northern defenses to flank the defenders of Chasiv Yar and threaten the defense of Kostyantynivka.

Meanwhile, in Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian breakthrough attempts in the city's central districts. As a result, Russian troops have expanded their offensive area and refocused on the northern flank, near Hryhorivka and Orikhiv-Vasylivka—so far, without success.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Lyman sector stabilized

After weeks of Russian advances near Terny and Ivanivka in the Lyman sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a counteroffensive, disrupting the Russian attack from the northern flank of Kolodiazi. Despite intense fighting, the frontline remains unchanged. With reinforcements deployed, Ukrainian forces are working not only to stabilize the situation but also to push Russian invaders back to the left bank of the Zherebets River.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Dvorichna crisis expands

A month has passed since the Russians managed to cross the Oskil River and secure positions near Dvorichna. Since then, they have captured three-quarters of the village and expanded their foothold by 5 km to the west toward the village of Zakhidne and 6 km south toward Kupyansk.

It is becoming clear that Ukrainian forces do not have enough strength here to hold back Russian troops—at least for now. On the other hand, Russian occupiers are unable to move their armored vehicles across the river and are mainly advancing with infantry.

The threat to Kupyansk or Velykyi Burluk is not immediate. It is likely that the Ukrainian command is trying to disperse and tie down the Russian army near Dvorichna, similar to the approach used at the Vovchansk front, to prevent a focused strike on Kupyansk.

The maps were created using data from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other verified open sources. They are approximate and only represent general trends in the combat zone.