Russia declared the capture of Velyka Novosilka in eastern Ukraine, a strategically important town in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces acknowledged a strategic withdrawal from certain areas but disputed the complete capture. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding US funding has reportedly halted operations at several Ukrainian NGOs, including those supporting war veterans and their families.
In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Sunday, January 26, 2025, a Russian army helicopter MI-35 launches rockets toward a Ukrainian position in an undisclosed location.
(KYIV, Ukraine—Russia on Sunday claimed its troops had captured a strategically important town in eastern Ukraine as part of a grinding campaign to weaken Kyiv’s grip on the country’s industrial heartland, while uncertainty over the continued flow of US funding has reportedly halted the work of some Ukrainian NGOs, including those helping war veterans. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the fall of Velyka Novosilka, which had around 5,000 residents before the war, following a monthslong battle. Its statement could not be independently verified, and Ukraine claimed its troops had only strategically withdrawn from certain areas. But if confirmed, it would make Velyka Novosilka the first significant town to capitulate in 2025 under Moscow’s onslaught in the eastern Donetsk region against Ukraine’s weary and short-handed army. The war is set to reach its three-year milestone in February. Ukrainian forces withdrew from certain parts of Velyka Novosilka to avoid encirclement, the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade said in a statement on its official Telegram channel Sunday. The brigade is active in that patch of the frontline. Analysts have long predicted that it’s only a matter of time until Russian forces capture the settlement, which lies only 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region. The brigade said though they have approximate parity with Russian forces in terms of artillery and drones, the Russians have a huge advantage in manpower. “Our units, using the weather conditions, skillfully withdrew from areas where there was a threat of encirclement. This does not mean that we have completely left the city, the fighting in Velyka Novosilka continues. All actions are aimed at minimizing our own losses and maximum damage to the enemy,” the statement said. The brigade said the withdrawal will make it topographically difficult for Russians to advance by making the river an obstacle for further advance. “The enemy (…) will have no peace, any movement is cut off by shells and drones,” the statement said. Russia captured the Donetsk cities of Avdiivka and Vuhledar last year after long and grueling battles. Those cities were largely leveled by Russian artillery, glide bombs and drones before they fell. Russian forces have also been trying for months to capture the key Donetsk strongholds of Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar. Elsewhere, Ukrainian NGOs catering to the needs of war veterans and their families have claimed a suspension of US funding is forcing them to halt their work, days after newly sworn in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would pause foreign aid grants for 90 days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later claimed that military aid to Ukraine would continue, but did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been paused. Kyiv relies on the US for 40% of its military needs. According to news reports, Ukrainian NGOs receiving funding from Washington this weekend began receiving “stop work” orders, requiring them to pause all projects and related travel. Veteran Hub, an NGO that provides legal and psychological support to war veterans and their families, was forced to halt operations of two of its three largest service units as a result, the organization said in its official Facebook page. “Since 2018, we have refrained from public fundraising because we believe that donations are primarily needed for the military. Today, we are forced to publicly ask for support for the first time,” the organization said. With the Trump administration questioning the future of US aid to Ukraine, stressing the need to quickly broker a peace deal, both Moscow and Kyiv are seeking battlefield successes to strengthen their negotiating positions ahead of any prospective talks. For the past year, Russian forces have been waging an intense campaign to punch holes in Ukraine’s defenses in the eastern Donetsk region. The sustained and costly offensive has compelled Kyiv to give up a series of towns, villages and hamlets
UKRAINE RUSSIA DONETSK WAR Ngos US AID VETERANS
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bloodied Ukrainian troops risk losing more hard-won land in Kursk to RussiaKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied and demoralized by the rising risk of defeat in Kursk, a region some want to hold at all costs while others question the value of having gone in at all.
Read more »
Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Ukrainian Energy InfrastructureRussia intensified its months-long bombing campaign against Ukraine's energy sector, launching dozens of missiles and drones overnight. The attack targeted gas infrastructure and critical facilities in several regions, including western Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and eastern Donetsk. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many of the missiles, but emergency blackouts were implemented in seven regions. The barrage follows a large-scale Ukrainian attack on Russian military targets just one day earlier.
Read more »
Captured North Korean Soldiers Don't Seek Asylum in South KoreaTwo North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russia have not expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea. South Korean intelligence officials confirmed this to lawmakers, adding they are ready to discuss the matter with Ukraine if the soldiers change their minds. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy offered to return the soldiers to North Korea if leader Kim Jong Un arranged an exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia.
Read more »
Ukraine and Russia Swap Over 300 Prisoners of WarIn a significant development, Ukraine and Russia exchanged more than 300 prisoners of war on Monday. Footage captured the emotional reunions of Ukrainian soldiers with their families.
Read more »
Hundreds of Prisoners Released in Russia-Ukraine ExchangeUkraine and Russia exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. 189 Ukrainian prisoners, including military personnel, border guards, and civilians, were released, alongside 150 Russian soldiers.
Read more »
Russia Halts Gas Transit Through Ukraine, Ending Decadeslong DealThe end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine marks a significant shift in the European energy landscape, raising concerns about supply security for some EU nations.
Read more »