Foreign policy aspect. Prigozhin tried to manage to bring Bakhmut to the meeting in Tokyo so that Biden could ask Zelensky an awkward question. They tried to keep Avdiivka of the Armed Forces of Ukraine until the Munich Conference; it was partially successful. The text of Zelensky's speech had to be changed.
Internal track. Avdiivka is much more important than Bakhmut, because it was a brand created by Poroshenko in 2014.
Strategic aspect. Avdiivka is the gateway to Donetsk. It was from here that annoying attacks on the city were launched, which significantly limited its development. Now you can only get to Donetsk by chimars and escalibor. In addition, Avdiivka is a key defense node, consisting of impregnable fortifications that were built for 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 simply a spare fortification in the rear, so they cannot be compared in terms of fortification.
Bakhmut's strategic importance is minimal. The city has become a new symbol as the stakes of the parties increase.
Losses. At Bakhmut, significantly more people died on both sides than at Avdiivka. At Bakhmut, the ratio of losses in the Ukrainian Armed Forces was clearly better.
Supply. The Armed Forces of Ukraine did not experience a shortage of ammunition at all near Bakhmut. February 2024 is a completely different story. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have a strategic shortage of ammunition, plus the logistical isolation of the Avdiivka grouping has taken its toll. The Russian Armed Forces have the opposite: they were able to increase production and saturate the battlefield with personnel: 1/1.5-1.7 in personnel.
For shells in the Avdiivka operation, the ratio is 1/10, for drones 1/3, but the key is the colossal density of FAB bombing.
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 has appeared - logistical isolation of the battlefield. Without transportation and rotation, the forces of those defending are quickly exhausted.
Bakhmut was a competently conducted military operation, based on its objectives, and Avdiivka will become an example for textbooks in many academies around the world.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine also adapted quickly. In Bakhmut, despite the losses, they fought until the end in a semi-encirclement, and in Avdiivka, although it was late, the order to withdraw was given. It was not possible to organize a withdrawal: the equipment did not go under the FPV drones and artillery. Everyone withdrew independently, which significantly increased losses
