The 110th Brigade has not confirmed the occupation of Velyka Novosilka; fighting is still ongoing.

This was announced during a telethon by Ivan Sekach, the head of the public relations service of the 110th brigade.

On the night of January 29, the DeepState portal reported that Russian troops had occupied Velyka Novosilka and advanced near Pyschany, Andriivka, Nadiya, and Baranivka.

“At the moment, I cannot confirm what DeepState is claiming. The fighting for Velyka Novosilka is ongoing — both gunfire and infantry, artillery, and everything. So I cannot confirm this information that DeepState is spreading right now,” Sekach stated.

According to the military official, the Russians are unlikely to establish a foothold on the other bank of the Mokri Yaly River, which separates Velyka Novosilka. Sekach suggests that the Russian advance will be halted in this sector of the front, after which the enemy will seek other locations for further advancement.

“To cross the river, a special operation with equipment is needed, bringing in pontoons, having an advantage not of one to three or four, but one to seven, so I believe that the enemy will be stopped in this direction,” Sekach declared.

Fighting for Velyka Novosilka

Velyka Novosilka is a settlement in the southern part of the Donetsk region. In the summer of 2023, this was where the Ukrainian army's counteroffensive began in the Mariupol direction. At that time, they managed to seize the dominant height in the village of Vremivka, and from there advanced towards Neskuchne, Rovne, Makarivka, Urozhayne, and Staromayorske.

In July 2024, the Russian army occupied Urozhayne. By the end of August, they began moving towards Uledar, the capture of which opened the way to two other key settlements in the southern Donetsk region — Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka.

The active phase of fighting for Velyka Novosilka began in December 2024 when the Russians attempted to encircle the settlement from the direction of Vremivka, where the Russian army advanced from the south, as well as from the settlement of Novyi Komar, where the occupiers moved from the captured Kurakhove.

Ukrainian fighters were forced to battle in a semi-encirclement, and the Mokri Yaly River created additional challenges, making it difficult to cross to new positions.

As reported by the 110th OMBr, Ukrainian troops withdrew from areas where there was a threat of encirclement, while the Russians found themselves in a “firebag” in the settlement.