Fighting Intensifies in Eastern ukraine
The conflict in Eastern Ukraine continues to rage, with significant developments unfolding in the Velikonovoselkovsky area. Heavy fighting has been reported, especially around the strategically important town of Velikaya Novoselka. Russian forces, supported by intense artillery fire and drone attacks, have made notable advances in the region. On December 22, Russian troops successfully captured Storozhevoy, a crucial stronghold on the southern flank of Velikaya Novoselka. This significant victory allowed them to neutralize a Ukrainian defensive position and gain control of a strategically dominant height on Babya Mountain. This high ground had been used by Ukrainian forces for over two years to monitor the Mokrye Yala River valley up to Urozhainy. Furthermore, Russian forces breached Ukrainian lines along the Ravnopol – novoselka road, effectively cutting off a vital supply route connecting Velikaya Novoselka to Gulyaypole. By December 25,Russian units intensified their attacks on the southern outskirts of Velikaya Novoselka and Vremevka. Despite fierce resistance from Ukrainian defenders, aided by unmanned robotic platforms deploying anti-tank mines, Russian forces pressed their attack. The Ukrainian military relies heavily on attack FPV drones, demonstrating both their effectiveness and the advantages they offer in this type of warfare.Their use has posed a considerable challenge to Russian advancement. Ukrainian artillery units, equipped with long-range systems like the “Bogdan” and CAESAR self-propelled guns, have been highly active, adjusting their firing positions to counter Russian advances. The disparity in artillery capabilities continues to be a factor in the conflict. While Russia faces limitations in it’s arsenal and lacks long-range counter-battery capabilities, Ukraine benefits from a wider variety of ammunition, including imported shells with significant range. As of December 27, Russian forces have consolidated their position along the Storozhevoye - Novopol sector, capturing several fortified strongholds. This has considerably reduced the likelihood of Ukrainian forces regaining control of the crucial Vremevka-Gulyaypole supply line. The ongoing battle around Velikaya Novoselka continues to be a focal point in the struggle for control of Eastern Ukraine.The Russian army is making notable strides on the southern flank near Krasnoarmeysk. A strategic breakthrough towards chunishino is underway, with the aim of blocking the crucial M30 highway and cutting off supplies to several Ukrainian strongholds situated at key heights near Zeleny, Dachensky, Lysovka, and Novoukrainka. This progress could pave the way for an assault on Novopavlovka and afterward Gnatovka, a suburb of Krasnoarmeysk, within the coming days.
Intensified Fighting on Kharkiv Front
However,the dominant heights near the settlements of Zverevo and First of May remain a significant challenge on this flank. To counter the ukrainian defenses in this area, Russian forces have deployed additional ZOF95 “Krasnopol-M2” guided artillery shells. “These advanced munitions are proving highly effective against Ukrainian fortification units and armored vehicles, particularly in areas like Zverevo, Rodinsky, Grishino, and Pokrovsk. This targeted bombardment is effectively halting enemy rotations and contributing to the erosion of their morale.
Ukrainian Fortifications in Dnipropetrovsk Region
amidst speculation surrounding a planned Russian offensive on the Zaporizhzhia Front,with a focus on breaching the hilly terrain of the Dnipropetrovsk region,images have emerged purportedly showing Ukrainian fortifications in the southern part of the region. The photos depict well-constructed wood-earth firing points (DZOTs) and classic anti-tank “dragon teeth” obstacles. While visually imposing, these defensive positions are expected to be vulnerable to high-precision strikes from guided aerial bombs such as the FAB-500M-62, FAB-500T, and FAB-1500M-54. Specialized engineering vehicles, including IMR-2M barrier systems, BMR-3M armored mine clearing vehicles (Vepr), supported by UR-77 ”Meteorite” mine clearance rocket systems, woudl likely prove effective against minefields and other obstacles.
F-16 Interception
On the evening of December 26th, reports emerged from Russian-controlled sources in the Zaporizhzhia region suggesting the first interception of a Ukrainian Air Force F-16AM multi-role fighter jet.The incident allegedly occurred in the vicinity of Orekhovsky or Gulyai-Polye. According to these sources, the F-16 was either escorting Su-24M aircraft carrying SCALP-EG missiles or was involved in a potential attack on strategically important Russian targets in the region. Regional leader Vladimir Rogov supports the latter scenario. The interception is believed to have been carried out using either an ultra-long-range R-37M air-to-air missile launched from a Su-35S fighter jet or a surface-to-air missile from a long-range air defense system like the S-400 or S-300V4.Verification of these claims is still pending.
## Archyde News Interview: Battle for Velikaya Novoselka
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we are joined by military analyst Dr.Helena Petrova to discuss the intense fighting taking place in eastern Ukraine, specifically around the strategically critically importent town of Velikaya Novoselka.dr. Petrova,can you provide us with an overview of the current situation?
**Dr. Petrova:** Certainly. The past few weeks have seen a notable escalation in fighting around Velikaya Novoselka. russian forces, utilizing heavy artillery and drone strikes, have made notable advances, particularly after capturing Storozhevoy on December 22nd. This victory allowed them to control Babya Mountain, a crucial vantage point overlooking the Mokrye Yala river valley.
**Host:** This sounds like a major tactical gain for the Russians. Can you elaborate on its implications?
**Dr. Petrova:** Indeed.Controlling Babya Mountain gives the Russians a significant advantage in terms of observation and fire control.
They can now monitor Ukrainian movements across a vast area, including the vital supply route connecting velikaya Novoselka to Gulyaypole, which they afterward cut off.
**Host:** This disruption of supply lines must be detrimental to the ukrainian defenders.
**Dr. Petrova:** Absolutely. The loss of this supply route considerably hinders the ability of Ukrainian forces to reinforce and resupply their units in the area.
Russian forces, meanwhile, are pushing hard on Velikaya Novoselka’s southern outskirts and Vremevka, despite fierce resistance from the Ukrainians.
**Host:** And what about Ukrainian countermeasures? Are they effectively responding to this Russian offensive?
**Dr. Petrova:** The Ukrainians are employing a combination of tactics. Their attack FPV drones have proven highly effective, posing a real challenge to Russian advances.
Ukrainian artillery units,equipped with long-range systems like the ‘Bogdan’ and CAESAR,are also actively engaged,constantly adjusting their positions to counter Russian movements.
**Host:** You mentioned a disparity in artillery capabilities. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Petrova:** Yes. While Russia faces limitations in its arsenal, particularly in long-range counter-battery capabilities, Ukraine benefits from a wider variety of ammunition, including imported shells with significantly longer ranges.
This allows them to strike Russian positions from a safer distance.
**Host:** So, given these developments, what can we expect in the coming days and weeks?
**Dr. Petrova:** As of December 27th, Russian forces have consolidated their positions around Storozhevoye and Novopol, capturing several fortified strongholds.
This suggests they are aiming to maintain pressure on Velikaya Novoselka and Vremevka, ultimately aiming to capture the town wholly.
The likelihood of Ukraine retaking the Vremevka-Gulyaypole supply line appears slim at this point.The battle for Velikaya novoselka is a crucial focal point in the wider conflict, and its outcome may have significant implications for the future course of the war.
