Despite massive losses, Russian troops in Ukraine continue to advance while maintaining up the pace of combat. Source: Gert Kaju, Head of Defence Readiness Department of the Estonian Ministry of Defence,

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) points out that the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is paying unusually much attention to the capture of Velyka Novosilka, which may indicate that the Russian Federation wants to shape the West's perception of the situation on the battlefield and weaken international support for Ukraine.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces in Ukraine are continuing to make gradual progress and maintain the current pace of the fighting. According to Gert Kaju, head of defense capabilities at the Estonian Ministry of Defense,

Moscow's forces have captured Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region and about to gain Toretsk, according to reports.

Ukraine’s 110th Mechanized Brigade acknowledged a withdrawal from parts of the village to avoid encirclement but claimed that fighting is ongoing elsewhere in Velyka Novosilka.

Ukraine's Luhansk Group of Forces spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Dmytro Zaporozhets said on Saturday that Kyiv's forces had repelled Russian small and medium-sized assaults on the grounds of the Refractory Plant.

Russian forces have intensified their efforts to capture Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast, with reports indicating significant advances near the settlement and other areas. Analysts suggest that this could signal a shift in Russia’s strategic focus,

The declining importance of Pokrovsk as the main logistical hub of Ukrainian forces in the Donbas means that this role is increasingly being taken over by Kostiantynivka, from where supplies are directed to the groupings in the Chasiv Yar and Toretsk areas (Pokrovsk has become a de facto independent defence region).

Russian forces have entered the Donetsk Oblast town of Velyka Novosilka, according to Russian and Ukrainian sources. The settlement is Ukraine’s last major stronghold in the southern Donbas region. Located at the intersection of Donetsk,

North Korean troops seem to temporarily withdraw from one section of front in Kursk Oblast, military says * Russia claims to capture Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine admits partial retreat but says battles ongoing * Russia intensifies attacks near Pokrovsk,

DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, reported on the night of 28-29 January that Russian troops had occupied the settlement of Velyka Novosilka and advanced in several other settlements in Donetsk Oblast.