It’s been said Bakhmut was a strategic area. Why? There was something about terrain past it was free of obstacles for the Russians.
But there are not tall mountains or large swamps nearby. So what was so important about this town?
“But there are not tall mountains or large swamps nearby. So what was so important about this town?”
Obviously Ukraine considered it critical, and so did Russia.
As to whether they’re right, we’ll know soon enough. As I see it, if Russia picks up a lot of new real estate after Bakhmut is fully liberated, then it was very important. I say give it a month - if Russia just sits in place and does nothing, then Bakhmut was critical.
...then Bakhmut was NOT critical.