Azovstal was bordered by a body of water giving Russia a huge advantage. Lysichansk is on a hill facing a river giving Ukraine a big advantage. As for the North and South, Russia has been stalled in that drive for quite some time. Every day it isn't closed exposes two more flanks for Ukraine to enter in the night. That's my reading of the map!

Anyway, I don't see similarities to Azovstal--except that they're both industrial zones.