Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had successfully captured the eastern Ukrainian town of Velyka Novosilka, located in the Donetsk region. This marks a significant development nearly three years into Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. According to Moscow’s defense ministry, Russian troops conducted “active offensive actions” and managed to “liberate” the settlement of Velyka Novosilka, which lies in the western part of Donetsk. While Russia frequently claims the capture of smaller villages, announcements regarding larger towns are rare.
Before Russia’s 2022 offensive, Velyka Novosilka had a population of approximately 6,000, but only about 300 residents remain in the town today. The town is positioned near the southern front line of the conflict, which has remained relatively stagnant for months, though there are growing concerns of a potential Russian offensive in the area.
The Russian defense ministry later shared images of two soldiers waving Russian flags atop a damaged building in Velyka Novosilka. Additionally, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov praised the troops involved in the operation. Kyiv has not yet responded to these claims. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to seek strategic advantages in the ongoing conflict, especially with the return of Donald Trump to the White House, who has promised to pursue peace talks.
