Foreign policy aspect. Prigozhin tried to take Bakhmut to the meeting in Tokyo in time to ask Zelensky an uncomfortable question in the presence of Biden. Avdiivka ZSU tried to keep it until the Munich conference; came out partially. The text of Zelenskyi's speech had to be changed.
Inner track. Avdiivka is much more important than Bakhmut, because it was a brand created by Poroshenko back in 2014.
Strategic aspect. Avdiivka is the gateway to Donetsk. It was from here that annoying blows were delivered to the city, which significantly limited its development. Now you can get to Donetsk only by Chimars and Excaliburs. In addition, Avdiivka is a key defense node consisting of impregnable fortifications that were built over 10 years. The only section of the front that has not moved since February 2022. It was the most fortified place in Ukraine.
Bakhmut until 2022 was just a spare fortification in the rear, so they cannot be compared in terms of fortification.
The strategic importance of Bakhmut is minimal. The city became the new symbol as the parties' stakes increased.
Losses. At Bakhmut, on both sides, significantly more people died than at Avdiivka. Under Bakhmut, the ratio of losses in the Armed Forces was clearly better.
Supply. The Armed Forces under Bakhmut did not experience a shortage of ammunition at all.
February 2024 is a completely different story. There is a strategic shortage of ammunition in the Armed Forces, plus the logistical isolation of the Avdiiv group has had an effect. In the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, everything is the opposite: they were able to increase production and saturate the battlefield with personnel: 1/1.5-1.7 personnel. For shells in the Avdiiv operation, the ratio is 1/10, for drones 1/3, but the key is the colossal density of bombardments by FABs.
Tactics. The tactics of the Russian Armed Forces are somewhat similar to Bakhmut, but significantly improved. The Russians have clearly learned to fight better: the counter-battery component, coordination, etc. have greatly improved. In addition, a new element of tactics appeared - logistical isolation of the battlefield. Without pick-up and rotation, the forces of those who defend are quickly depleted.
Bakhmut was a competently conducted military operation based on its tasks, and Avdiivka will become an example for textbooks in many academies of the world.
The Armed Forces also quickly adapted. In Bakhmut, despite the losses, battles were fought until the end in semi-encirclement, and in Avdiivka , although it was late, the order to withdraw was given. It was not possible to organize the departure: the equipment did not go under FPV drones and art. Everyone went out on their own, this significantly increased losses
