Due to the losses in the battles near Soledar, the Ukrainian command withdraws the remnants of two mechanized battalions of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the combat area
Yakovlivka in particular is valuable because it sits on a ridge overlooking the Ukrainian positions. By holding Bakhmut (which is low ground) as Russia pushes the wings, the Ukrainians are nightmarishly being put in a central position on the floor of the field.