 Expert names main task of Russians near Bakhmut. Currently, the primary objective of Russian occupiers near Bakhmut is to restrain Ukrainian forces, preventing them from being redeployed to the Avdivka sector, where invaders have been attempting an offensive since early October, according to military expert Oleksandr Musienko for RBC Ukraine. Military expert Oleksandr Musienko believes that despite pressure and Russian counterattacks, it's unlikely they will achieve operational success near Bakhmut. According to him, the combat dynamics have been consistent for several months. Ukrainians launch an attack and make advances. Then the enemy counterattacks and the cycle repeats. In the expert's opinion, the adversary's goal near Bakhmut is to tie down Ukrainian forces, preventing their transfer to the Avdivka sector. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian armed forces have continued offensive operations towards Militopol and achieved some success west of Robotyn in the direction of Kopan-Zaporizia region. They also maintained positions and reportedly launched an attack on the left bank of the Kursan region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defence forces persist in storming actions south of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, inflicting losses on the enemy in personnel and equipment, and consolidating positions at the attained front lines.