Russians took Yahidne.
I mean I understand they want to slow down Russian advance, but why is it a bad idea to pull out those several thousand men from Bakhmut and put them into the next defensive position? How is it feasible to let them killed and/or captured?
Hold every centimeter is WWII German level idiotism.
Also it seems Wagner has an idea how to capture these villages which serve as centers of defense, although besides main defensive lines might not be well fortified, and after the breakthrough at Soledar the line might have not been solidified, it's a constant drawing back by Ukrainians. Which also makes me wonder of they can draw back elsewhere, why not from Bakhmut?
The more they tried to hold it, the more importance it gets, and can give a morale boost when it gets captured. Or a morale hit for the Ukrainians when it gets lost.