Russia Claims Capture of Strategic Ukrainian Town Amid Intense Fighting

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces have reportedly captured the strategic town of Velyka Novosilka in eastern Ukraine, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the seizure on Sunday, though the claim remains unverified. Ukrainian forces, however, maintain that they have only withdrawn from certain areas to avoid encirclement.

Velyka Novosilka, a town with a pre-war population of around 5,000, lies just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Dnipropetrovsk region. Its capture would represent the first major territorial gain for Russia in 2025, as Moscow continues its campaign to weaken Ukraine’s hold on the industrial Donetsk region. The war, now nearing its third year, has seen relentless fighting in the area.

The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, a Ukrainian unit active in the region, stated on Telegram that its forces had strategically withdrawn from parts of Velyka Novosilka to minimize losses. “Our units, using the weather conditions, skillfully withdrew from areas where there was a threat of encirclement,” the brigade said. “This does not mean we have completely left the city. Fighting in Velyka Novosilka continues.”

The brigade emphasized that while Ukrainian forces maintain parity with Russian troops in artillery and drone capabilities, Russia holds a significant advantage in manpower. The withdrawal, they noted, will make further Russian advances difficult due to the Mokri Yaly River, which flows through the town and serves as a natural obstacle.

Russian forces have intensified their offensive in the Donetsk region, leveraging heavy artillery, glide bombs, and drones to wear down Ukrainian defenses. The capture of Velyka Novosilka follows Russia’s seizure of Avdiivka and Vuhledar in 2024, both of which were heavily damaged during prolonged battles.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian NGOs supporting war veterans and their families have reported disruptions due to a temporary suspension of U.S. funding. Veteran Hub, an organization providing legal and psychological support, announced it had to halt operations for two of its three largest service units. The group has appealed for public donations for the first time since its founding in 2018.

The suspension comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a 90-day pause on foreign aid grants. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not clarified whether humanitarian aid is affected, but Kyiv remains heavily reliant on U.S. support, which accounts for 40% of its military needs.

As both sides seek battlefield advantages to strengthen their positions in potential peace talks, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Russian forces continue to press their offensive in Donetsk, while Ukrainian troops strive to hold their ground amid mounting challenges.