2)

However, Siversk isn't the only thing influenced by Bakhmut. While the city itself is deep behind the old contact line, its fall would allow Russia to flank other fortifications.

This is part of a larger Russian idea of encircling strong points on the contact line. 10/ pic.twitter.com/VjZGqD6qs4

— John Helin (@J_JHelin) December 15, 2022