Bakhmut is at the conjunction of three major train lines and four major roads. Although official propaganda downgrades its importance now that Ukraine is about to lose it, the city has obvious strategic value. From Moon of Alabama at moonofalabama.org:
‘Western’ media can not decide if Bakhmut is a strategic city or has little strategic value. They claim both is the case.
Bakhmut is of course of strategic value. It is covering the crossing of three major train lines and four major roads (M-03, M-32, T-13-02, T-05-13). As such it is the linchpin of the whole Donbas region. Besides that it also has some valuable mineral mines.
That is why the Ukrainian government has send ten thousands of its troops to fight and die for that city.
People who claim otherwise are simply coping.
Some examples:
- Russian forces are closing in on the strategic city of Bakhmut, giving Ukraine a tough choice to make – CNBC – Feb 9, 2023
Bakhmut has been intensely fought over by Russian and Ukrainian forces for months, with Moscow viewing its capture as a strategic goal and a way to cut Ukrainian supply lines in Donetsk. - Ukraine clings to Bakhmut, Blinken tells Lavrov US to back Kyiv all the way – Reuters – Mar 2, 2023
Ukraine says the city has limited strategic value but it is exhausting Russia’s invasion force in what has become the bloodiest battle of the war.
STRAIGHT LINE LOGIC 
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