February 8, 2023

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64523029

Seems like two things are happening here in this battle for Bakhmut.

1) There are roads and rail that all converge into the area, making it a transportation hub, meaning a logistic choke point.

Plus the fact that on the map, it is kind of like in the middle of the front, and between other major centers, a Russian breakthrough here would impact Ukraine logistics and cutoff one side of the front from the other. That in turn could make the whole front melt away in a retreat. Hence, the importance of this battle on the map.

2) Since this is an important center of gravity, the Ukrainians have committed to defending it, drawing forces from other areas on the front. Being that Russia still has an numerical advantage in artillery, Ukraine forces are being rubbed out, hence that is why the Russians are advancing, slowly. That is why there is this uproar in the West recently about sending tanks to the Ukraine.