The Russian Armed Forces have closed a "pocket" in Velyka Novosilka, with progress reported in Toretsk, according to DeepState (maps).
The Russian forces have occupied the village of Vremovka and are achieving successes in Velyka Novosilka. Additionally, the Russians have managed to seize several blocks in Toretsk and advance in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions. On the details of the Russian offensive as of January 26, analysts from the DeepState project reported on their Telegram channel.
Russian Offensive — Fighting in Donbas on January 26
Novopavlivka direction. Analysts have updated the front lines between the settlements of Vremivka and Velyka Novosilka. Data as of January 26 indicates that the "pocket" containing Ukrainian Armed Forces units, which were semi-encircled by the Russian Armed Forces, has closed. The DeepState channel reported that the village of Vremivka is completely under occupation (previously, fighting was occurring on the eastern outskirts). Furthermore, the enemy has almost entirely occupied Velyka Novosilka, with only two blocks remaining free in the north.
0 Toretsk direction. In the city of Toretsk, the Russian Armed Forces have advanced on the southern outskirts in the Zabalka district. Approximately, the Russians have managed to move about 500 meters. The configuration of the "tongues" extending from the center to the northwest has not changed, as evidenced by the DeepState map.
1 Pokrovsk direction. On this section of the front, the Russian Armed Forces have advanced at three points: Kotlyno (5 km west of Pokrovsk), near Nadiivka, and Petropavlivka. Additionally, analysts have clarified the situation under Slovyansk. According to DeepState information, the line of fighting has been pushed back 1 km to the east: that is, the previously indicated enemy advance has been reversed.
2 What the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff Says About the Front Situation
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the situation in Donbas in a report as of 8:00 AM on January 26, stating that they discussed nine attacks by the Russian Armed Forces that occurred in the Novopavlivka direction. Furthermore, they listed the locations where fighting continued: among them are Velyka Novosilka and Vremivka, which were mentioned by the analysts. In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian units repelled 52 enemy attacks, while in Toretsk — 10. The General Staff also reported two more hot spots in the east. There were 33 assaults by the Russian Armed Forces near Kramatorsk and 26 near Lyman.
It is noteworthy that on January 24, DeepState analysts described the situation near Velyka Novosilka and the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units holding the defense there. According to the analysts, the enemy reached the center of this settlement and began a "cleansing" of the territory. At the same time, they refuted claims made by Russian military correspondents that stated complete occupation.
We remind you that military expert Ivan Stupak explained on January 24 how the Russian Armed Forces might act to bypass Pokrovsk and approach the Dnipropetrovsk region.