[BostonCard]

I think the value of Bakhmut was much higher before Ukraine recaptured Izium.  Slovyansk is midway between Izium and Bakhmut, and had the Russians held Bakhmut and Izium they would have been able to conduct a pincer maneuver on Slovyansk, potentially collapsing the Ukrainian salient into a cauldron between Slovyansk and Lysyshansk.   That danger has since disappeared.  Russian capture of Bakhmut does potentially give them a gateway to Slovyansk, but I don't think anyone thinks Russia will be much of a threat to Slovyansk even if they have Bakhmut in hand.

BC

[BostonCard]

I think the value of Bakhmut was much higher before Ukraine recaptured Izium.  Slovyansk is midway between Izium and Bakhmut, and had the Russians held Bakhmut and Izium they would have been able to conduct a pincer maneuver on Slovyansk, potentially collapsing the Ukrainian salient into a cauldron between Slovyansk and Lysyshansk.   That danger has since disappeared.  Russian capture of Bakhmut does potentially give them a gateway to Slovyansk, but I don't think anyone thinks Russia will be much of a threat to Slovyansk even if they have Bakhmut in hand.

BC