“The epic nature of the battle is out of all proportion to Bakhmut’s strategic significance, they add.”
No kidding. Yeah it’s a rail hub and all that but how is it so important to everyone?
Maybe they have a really good Starbuck’s there.
“how is it so important to everyone?”
The Russian propaganda ministry promised its lackeys around the world that Bakhmut was going to be a glorious Russian victory.
That was back in September. Every week it hasn’t fallen has further reduced the credibility of all of Putin’s stooges. Putin needs to fix that or soon the fifth columnists in the West he is counting on will start abandoning him.
It’s a very defensible spot on the Donbas front.
Complex terrain, river, streams, lakes and reservoirs. A road hub. The rail doesn’t matter much unless it’s way behind the front. A good place to hold as a redoubt.
Very much like Verdun in 1914, save for the folkloric fame Verdun already had in those days, as a traditional border bastion.
Any folklore Bakhmut has, it has acquired in the course of this war.
but how is it so important to everyone?
———-
Donbass falls, ( Ethnic Russian provinces liberated) one of Vlads stated objectives is met. If you cared to read Vlads speech Feb 24 22, he clearly stated his objectives.
Vlad still holds all the cards.