Bakhmut, located about 34 miles north of the Russian-held regional capital of Donetsk, had a prewar population of 80,000 and was an important industrial centre, surrounded by salt and gypsum mines.

Source: https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/national/23536557.zelensky-confirms-russia-taken-control-bakhmut/?ref=rss

Last month, he visited the Russian-held port of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov.

Source: https://wtop.com/russia-ukraine-war-news/2023/04/putin-visits-russian-troops-in-occupied-ukraine/

Russian efforts to capture Avdiivka began over a year ago, but the attempt to take the areas near Donetsk, the Russian-held regional capital, has recently intensified.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/briefing/russia-bakhmut-avdiivka-europe.html

The area is one of the shortest routes to splitting Russian-held territory into two sectors but also one of the most heavily fortified.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/world/europe/ukraine-counteroffensive.html

This would mean Kyiv would be able to strike deep into Russian-held territory in eastern Ukraine where the fiercest battles are ongoing.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12130919/Putins-officials-blame-British-Storm-Shadow-missiles-devastating-strike-Mariupol.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Ukrainian drone drops leaflets over an occupied region, denouncing the Russian-held elections.

Source: https://biztoc.com/x/ea95b876ae1a7083?ref=ff

With a range of 190 miles, they can strike further into Russian-held territory than any other missile nations have thus far provided to Kyiv.

Source: https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2023/0928/Now-tanks-next-missiles-Expanding-military-aid-buoys-Ukraine?icid=rss