Russian soldiers captured during Ukraine's offensive on the Lyman direction reported starvation in their positions and that 80% of their personnel were wounded. According to the captured soldiers, they informed their command about the critical situation, but Russian officers ignored the problems. During the Ukrainian forces' offensive, Russian command stopped communicating.

One of the captured soldiers reportedly died from starvation, despite not being wounded. The soldiers stated that they were given something to eat, but ultimately starved.