Next is Dnipropetrovsk region: what will happen on the front lines if the enemy pushes further into Velyka Novosilka?

The Ukrainian military has withdrawn from the southern part of Velyka Novosilka in the Novopavlivka direction of the Donetsk region to avoid encirclement. According to Viktor Trehubov, a representative of the Joint Forces Operation "Khortytsia," the Defense Forces are still holding some positions in the vicinity.

"Any other actions [besides troop withdrawal] could lead to the encirclement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and unnecessary losses among Ukrainian defenders. The Russians have taken a significant part of the settlement, while the Ukrainian military is holding certain lines to prevent the enemy from advancing further," said Viktor Trehubov.

The Battle for Velyka Novosilka: Features of the Settlement and the Threat of Loss

"Unfortunately, the settlement is effectively under control, and the defensive lines of the Defense Forces will shift. Velyka Novosilka in southern Donbas was a relatively large settlement compared to the surrounding villages, which provided an advantage for defense," said Roman Pohorelyi.

In his opinion, the Russian Armed Forces will turn Velyka Novosilka into a stronghold and hub for accumulating their resources for further attacks.

"The point is that Velyka Novosilka lies between three regions — Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk. Why is this important? Because usually, along the borders of regions, there are boundaries of responsibility for different brigades. There are always problems at these junctions, and the enemy often assaults these areas," explained the military analyst.

He emphasized that the loss of Velyka Novosilka, a fortified area, brings nothing good. An important aspect is the psychological factor, as Dnipropetrovsk region lies behind the settlement, an area that has not experienced war since World War II. This significantly affects both the local population and the military.

Military expert Dmytro Snihirev confirmed that Velyka Novosilka was an important foothold that protected the western areas of the Donetsk region. Control over Velyka Novosilka and neighboring settlements made it impossible for the Russian Armed Forces to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory.

Velyka Novosilka is located in a lowland, which is a very disadvantageous geographical position. There is also a natural water barrier — a river — that cuts the settlement almost in half.

How Will Events on the Front Develop Further?

Roman Pohorelyi noted that only time will reveal the further development of events. In particular, everything will depend on the situation on the ground, the decisions of the Defense Forces command, and the actions of the enemy — what resources they will attract and whether they will shift focus, for example, to Pokrovsk, transferring their forces there.

"As for now, nothing changes; the war and enemy pressure continue, while the Defense Forces try to hold them back and inflict as many losses as possible, which is a key aspect of creating problems within the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces," added the analyst.

Snihirev is convinced that there are currently no grounds to discuss possible further plans for the Russian Armed Forces to break into the Dnipropetrovsk region. However, Russian units are likely to be redeployed to the Pokrovsk or Kramatorsk directions.

According to Narozhny, the Mokri Yaly River, which flows near Velyka Novosilka, may become the next line of defense. After all, it is a water barrier that is difficult to assault.

On January 26, servicemen of the 110th OMBr stated that the Russian Armed Forces would not be able to continue their advance from Velyka Novosilka. This is particularly due to the fact that the Mokri Yaly River, which created problems for the supply of Ukrainian units, has become a barrier to the enemy's advancement.

"Having entered Velyka Novosilka, the enemy found themselves in a fire trap, where they will find no peace; any movement is intercepted by shells and drones. Regarding the town itself, there are no intact buildings left in the settlement," the message states.

Recall that on January 26, fighters from the 110th OMBr noted that in Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region, there was no threat of encirclement of Ukrainian units. Thus, all military actions were aimed at minimizing their own losses and maximizing damage to the enemy.

On the night of January 27, DeepState analysts reported that Russian troops advanced in several settlements in the Donetsk region, particularly in Toretsk, near Andriivka and Novolyzyavotivka.