Your post would have some rational basis if your fellow pro-Putin posters had not been claiming for months that Russia's plan was to encircle Bakhmut and surround the Ukrainians.
Now that the encirclement failed you make up a new rationale for Russia's behavior.
Why don't you tell us why the destruction of an oil terminal in Crimea was a part of Russia's strategic plan also.
That will probably be part of your assignment from the Russian MOD next week.
I haven’t made up anything. You just have no concept of tactics. Bakhmut is emptying Ukraine of men and weapons. It’s also draining nato.