• Source: 2024 Velyka Novosilka offensive

A military engagement between the Russian Armed Forces and Ukrainian Armed Forces for control over the Ukrainian town of Velyka Novosilka and the nearby area began in November 2024.




Background



On March 12, after 15 days of fighting, Russian troops captured the nearby city of Volnovakha, located on a highway between Donetsk and Mariupol. The Ukrainian troops then retreated to the town of Velyka Novosilka. Two days later, fighting began in the settlement.




= Early capture efforts (2022)

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Between March 14 and 16, Russian forces achieved significant progress in their offensive originating from Volnovakha, breaking through the eastern sector of the Velyka Novosilka line. This advance included capturing several villages such as Volodymyrivka, Blahodatne, Mykilske, Pavlivka, and Vodiane. By March 16, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Russian troops had launched an offensive on Velyka Novosilka, reporting some gains. Throughout April, Russian troops repeatedly shelled residential areas in Velyka Novosilka, intensifying the conflict.



Stalemate in the region

Following the initial offensive, a prolonged stalemate ensued. By mid-May, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that Russian forces near Velyka Novosilka appeared focused on completing the Siege of Mariupol rather than pressing further assaults on the village. Despite renewed Russian efforts to advance on August 24 and 31, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled these attacks. By December, reports of Russian troop buildups south of the village indicated reconnaissance missions rather than a well-prepared offensive, reflecting their limited operational capabilities. Concurrently, attempts to capture the nearby city of Vuhledar resulted in severe Russian losses and limited progress, further contributing to the deadlock.




= Ukrainian counteroffensive (2023)

=

Between June and October, Ukrainian forces made significant strides in southern Donetsk Oblast during their counteroffensive against Russian positions. On June 4, they achieved limited gains around Rivnopil and southwest of Velyka Novosilka, sparking speculation about a broader counteroffensive. By June 11, Ukrainian troops had recaptured Neskuchne, Blahodatne, and Makarivka, overcoming entrenched Russian defenses, including fortified positions in schools and near rivers. The Ukrainian military claimed Russian forces destroyed a dam on the Mokri Yaly river to slow down their advance.
At the late of June, fighting escalated around Rivnopil, which Ukraine claimed had been liberated on June 24, but this was only confirmed on June 26. Operations continued into July, focusing on Staromaiorske, where Ukrainian forces faced extremely difficult conditions, including mine-filled roads and systematic defensive strategies employed by the Russian side. On July 26, Staromaiorske was successfully recaptured, a significant achievement praised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In August, attention shifted to Urozhaine, considered a "stronghold of Russia." After intense fighting and heavy resistance, Urozhaine was liberated on August 16, with retreating Russian forces suffering heavy losses.




= Second Russian offensive (2024)

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On June 10, Russian advances north of the village of Staromaiorske reportedly resulted in the capture of the entire settlement. Subsequently, on July 13, Russian forces successfully took control of Urozhaine. On July 18, Ukrainian authorities confirmed that their forces had withdrawn from the village, claiming that, despite Russian casualties amounting to over a hundred to several hundred fatalities "each day," their defensive positions had been destroyed, along with the village itself.




Battle



The capture of Vuhledar by the Russian army on 1 October resulted in a renewed opening of the southeastern Donetsk front. Vuhledar functioned as a Ukrainian stronghold in this section of the frontline for over two years. With the fall of this city Russian forces had the ability of starting advances towards Velyka Novosilka, which is located about 30km to the west. One week later, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that the village of Zolota Nyva was under Russian control.
In early November, the Russian military began assault operations to the west of Velyka Novosilka around the Zaporizhzhia – Donetsk border, retaking the settlement of Rivnopil on November 13. The following week, Russian forces intensified their assault efforts towards Velyka Novosilka from the east. At the same time, Russian forces also expanded the front to the northeast reaching the outskirts of Rozdolne, threatening to cut off the Velyka Novosilka – Pokrovsk road. With these flanking maneuvers from the east, Russian assault groups attempt to bypass the Ukrainian fortifications, which are mainly built and aimed to stop attacks from the south.
Russian forces entered the warehouses located southeast of Velyka Novosilka on 23 November, bringing the frontline up to the outskirts of the town, and subsequently captured the buildings on 24 November.




Analysis


A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces are utilizing a new "carousel" tactic during their raids on Urozhaine. The milblogger stated that this "carousel" tactic enables Russian tanks to fire continuously on Ukrainian forces, both while stationary and while maneuvering. The milblogger further explained that as one tank is engaged in firing at Ukrainian forces, the crew of a second tank positions itself behind the first tank to reload.
Velyka Novosilka is seen as a strategic point in the Donbas due to it's location on higher ground close to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The settlement is, together with Kurakhove, one of the few remaining Ukrainian-controlled strongholds in southern Donetsk Oblast. Therefore, it also functions as a regional logistical hub for the Ukrainian forces.




See also


Pokrovsk offensive
Battle of Chasiv Yar
Battle of Toretsk




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• 2024 Velyka Novosilka offensive
• Velyka Novosilka
• 2024 Kursk offensive
• 2024 Kharkiv offensive
• Pokrovsk offensive
• List of military engagements during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 August 2024 – present)
• 40th Naval Infantry Brigade
• 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive
• Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 December 2023 – 31 March 2024)