Gerasimov and Shoigu may leave Prigozhin near Bakhmut to show what kind of commander he is - military expert Musienko

He expressed this opinion on the air of the Verdict with Serhiy Rudenko program on the Espreso TV channel.

"A large number of Wagner's mercenaries are concentrated in Bakhmut, and we know that Prigozhin has hostile relations with the leadership of the Russian army. This situation may be to our advantage. The Russian command, represented by Gerasimov and Shoigu, can leave Prigozhin alone with their forces to attack Bakhmut. The purpose of this may be to test Prigozhin's strength, so to say, to show what kind of commander he is. As if it is easier to criticise than to succeed. Meanwhile Gerasimov and Shoigu can prepare strikes in other directions. In particular, in the direction of Svatove and further to Kupiansk, or plan offensive actions in the south," Musienko said.

The military expert also added that the Ukrainian Armed Forces may advance in the direction of Kreminna.

"The aggressor's troops will not be able to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk region. The strategic goal of the enemy is not just to capture Bakhmut, this is one of its goals. The Russian forces want to draw our forces to the Bakhmut direction as much as possible so that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could not consolidate their capabilities and create a strike group and move to counter-offensive actions in other directions. 

The Russian occupiers are afraid that the Ukrainian army would go to Melitopol, and the loss of the south is a defeat for the aggressor's troops in the war. The enemy's goal of defending the south is Bakhmut, where they are pulling our forces to. Despite the strategic plan of the enemy - they fail," added Musienko.