KYIV, Ukraine — On Sunday, Russia announced that its troops had succeeded in taking control of a strategically vital town in eastern Ukraine, which plays a crucial role in its ongoing efforts to diminish Kyiv’s influence over the essential industrial region of the country. This news arrives amid concerns regarding the potential disruption of U.S. funding, which has reportedly caused some Ukrainian NGOs, including those assisting war veterans, to suspend their operations.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the capture of Velyka Novosilka, a town that housed around 5,000 residents prior to the conflict, following an extended battle spanning several months. However, this claim remains unverified by independent sources, and Ukrainian officials asserted that their forces had strategically withdrawn from certain locations within the town in order to prevent encirclement.
Should Russia’s claim be substantiated, Velyka Novosilka would become the first significant town to succumb under Moscow’s intense military campaign in the eastern Donetsk region. This development emerges as the conflict approaches its three-year mark in February.
According to the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is actively engaged in the region, Ukrainian forces vacated specific areas of Velyka Novosilka to avoid being surrounded. The brigade emphasized that the withdrawal does not indicate they have fully retreated from the town, as fighting in the area persists. They noted that every effort is being made to limit their own losses while inflicting maximum damage on the enemy.
The brigade explained that this strategic withdrawal will complicate Russian advancements, particularly by turning the river into a barrier against further progress. They stated, “The enemy (…) will have no peace, any movement is cut off by shells and drones.”
In the previous year, Russian forces managed to seize the Donetsk cities of Avdiivka and Vuhledar after protracted and rigorous battles, which left much of the infrastructure heavily damaged due to extensive shelling and aerial assaults. Ongoing Russian efforts have also targeted key strongholds in Donetsk, including Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar.
In a different context, Ukrainian NGOs focused on supporting war veterans and their families have reported that a halt in U.S. funding has led them to cease their activities. This situation unfolded just days after newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a temporary pause in foreign aid grants lasting 90 days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later commented that military assistance would continue, yet he did not specify if humanitarian aid had been affected. The Ukrainian government relies on the United States for a significant portion—about 40%—of its military necessities.
Reports indicate that several Ukrainian NGOs that receive U.S. funding received “stop work” notifications over the weekend, compelling them to halt all projects and related travel. Among these, the NGO Veteran Hub, which provides legal and psychological support to war veterans and their families, stated it had to pause operations in two of its three major service units, as confirmed through their official Facebook page.
This interruption in funding led the organization to request public donations for the first time since its inception. “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 noted.
As the Trump administration continues to question the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of arranging a peace deal, both Moscow and Kyiv are striving for military successes that would enhance their negotiating positions ahead of any potential discussions.
For over a year, Russian forces have been intensely focused on penetrating Ukraine’s defenses in the eastern Donetsk region. This relentless offensive has compelled Ukrainian authorities to relinquish numerous towns and smaller settlements across the region.
