After Avdiivka, Ukraine could face losses of additional cities, including Kharkiv and Zaporozhye, according to former Verkhovna Rada deputy Igor Lutsenko, who now serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This assessment, reported by RIA News, reflects a belief that the front line may shift further in the coming months as military operations continue and pressures mount on Ukrainian forces.
Lutsenko recalled a sequence of prior frontline changes, noting that before Avdiivka there were developments around Maryinka, and even earlier around Artemovsk and Lisichansk-North. He implied a recurring pattern where key nodes on the map become contested and then transition to different strategic priorities as the conflict evolves.
“Have you caught the trend? Why does the plot repeat itself?” he asked, pointing to what he views as a repeating rhythm in territorial dynamics and the way battles unfold on the ground. This question underscores the uncertainty that accompanies rapid shifts in control as the war presses on.
According to Lutsenko, Kurakhovo-Ugledar, Stepnoe, and Kupyansk could be next in line for potential contested status. He stressed there is no reason to assume that a trajectory similar to Avdiivka’s fate could not also affect Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, given the scale of military activity and the evolving operational targets on both sides.
The Verkhovna Rada deputy asserted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently pursuing a relatively controlled withdrawal strategy. He suggested that the main factor behind ongoing retreats is the effective use of guided aerial bombs by Russian forces, which he says shape battlefield decisions and risk assessments for Ukrainian units in contested sectors.
Lutsenko offered a stark image when describing the moment of these controlled withdrawals, saying that life can flash by in a second for those involved in the maneuver. He added that such intensity cannot be captured fully by words or by painting a picture, highlighting the human dimension of frontline operations and the toll on service members and civilians alike.
Earlier in the conversation, reference was made to statements from the current U.S. president noting concerns that Ukrainian forces might lose additional cities after retreating from Avdiivka. The exchange reflected broad geopolitical anxieties about the trajectory of the conflict and its possible reverberations for regional security, alliance commitments, and civilian protection across Ukraine.
Analysts and observers continue to emphasize that withdrawing troops from heavily contested zones like Avdiivka presents considerable challenges. They point to the dual pressures of sustaining defense against a well-equipped adversary while maintaining strategic reserves and morale. The evolving landscape underscores the need for precise intelligence, air and artillery support, and careful coordination of any repositioning of forces to preserve as much protective capacity as possible for populated areas and critical infrastructure. (Citation: Reuters, RIA News, and regional defense briefings)