• Chariotwheel@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Why are the Russians so desperate for Bakhmut? Just to have a win? This feels like very Verdun or Stalingrad. The city itself is fucked up from the war, it’s not that much value at that point for either side, other than symoblic victory. The Ukrainians are doing good in not as hard trying to take the city itself and rather use it as a bait to destroy Russian troops.

      • Aceticon@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Russia is doing “strategy” by Sunk Cost Falacy.

        It’s pretty normal in authoritarian dictatorship were the only unforgivable action for the dictator is “look weak” by giving up on something that has cost a lot to get (even if it is worthless).

        It’s pretty smart of the Ukranian leadership to use this russian regime weakness against them.

      • jimmy90@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        isn’t there a strategically important road near Bakhmut that becomes available if you take the area?

        • orrk@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          nope, I know that his was spread around everywhere by Russian sympathizers, but the reality is that Russia chose Bakhmut not because of its strategic importance but because they could supply it from both the northern and southeastern supply lines, the town is in a valley, its outside artillery range of the Russian and Ukrainian supply line Trunks, etc… what make the town special was the Russian propaganda because it was the one place they could adequately supply, and the ability of the UA forces to kill Russians in insane ratios

    • ikiru@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Why are the Russians so desperate for Bakhmut? Just to have a win? This feels like very Verdun or Stalingrad.

      I don’t know about Bakhmut, but holding Stalingrad had a great strategic importance. The Soviets and Nazis didn’t commit so many forces there just to hold an arbitrary village. It feels weird that you mention it as if there was no real point to it.