Russia claims its troops have captured strategic city in eastern Ukraine – WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando

Kyiv – Russia said on Sunday that its troops had captured a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine as part of a campaign to loosen Kiev’s grip on the country’s industrial heartland, while uncertainty over the continued flow of US funding has halted the work of some Ukrainian NGOs, including those who help veterans from the war.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced the fall of Velika Novosilka, which had about 5,000 residents before the war, after months of fighting. His statement could not be independently verified and Ukraine maintains that its troops only withdrew strategically from certain areas.

But if confirmed, it would make Velika Novosilka the first significant city to capitulate in 2025. under the pressure of Moscow in the region of Eastern Donetsk against the tired and small army of Ukraine. The war is due to reach its three-year milestone in February.

Ukrainian forces withdrew from some parts of Velika Novosilka to avoid encirclement, the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade said in a statement on its official Telegram channel on Sunday. The brigade operates in this section of the front line.

Analysts have long predicted it was only a matter of time before Russian forces captured the settlement, which is just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

The brigade said that although they are roughly equal to 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 Velika 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 would make it topographically difficult for the Russians to advance by turning the river into an obstacle to further advance.

“The enemy (…) will have no peace, every movement is intercepted by shells and drones,” the statement said.

Russia captured the Donetsk cities of Avdiivka and Vagledar last year after long and grueling battles. These cities were largely leveled by Russian artillery, planning bombs and drones before they fell.

Russian forces have also been trying for months to capture the key Donetsk strongholds of Pokrovsk and Chasov Yar.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian NGOs that care for the needs of war veterans and their families say the suspension of US funding is forcing them to stop their work, days after newly sworn-in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would suspend foreign aid for 90 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said military aid to Ukraine would continue, but did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been suspended. 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 suspend operations at two of its three largest service units as a result, the organization said on its official Facebook page.

He said the suspension prompted him to ask for public donations for the first time.

“From 2018 we refrain from public fundraising because we believe donations are needed primarily for the military. Today we are forced to publicly ask for support for the first time,” the organization said.

As the Trump administration questions the future of US aid to Ukraine, stressing the need for a quick peace deal, both Moscow and Kiev are looking for battlefield successes to strengthen their negotiating positions ahead of any talks.

Over the past year, Russian forces have waged an intensive campaign to punch holes in Ukraine’s defenses in the eastern Donetsk region. The protracted and costly offensive forced Kiev to give up a number of cities, towns and villages.