A 19-year-old Ukrainian volunteer soldier, Akula, recounted the harrowing experiences he endured during a six-month stint on the front lines as Russian forces invaded Ukraine. The young recruit joined the fight at the start of the conflict, expecting to serve alongside his countrymen in defense of their homeland.
However, Akula's account paints a starkly different picture. "Scary, cold, hungry and lonely" were just a few words he used to describe the grueling conditions that took a severe toll on his mental health. The constant exposure to danger, coupled with the lack of basic necessities like food and warmth, left him feeling isolated and vulnerable.
Akula spoke candidly about his time in Ukraine, sharing stories of witnessing comrades fall and struggling to cope with the trauma he experienced. He revealed that the isolation was particularly brutal, as fellow soldiers struggled to maintain morale while fighting against an enemy that seemed almost invincible.
"I felt like I'm walking on a tightrope without any safety net," Akula said in a rare interview, shedding light on the psychological strain of war. "You're always looking over your shoulder, waiting for the next attack or the next round of artillery fire."
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the often-overlooked struggles faced by soldiers who find themselves caught in the crossfire.
However, Akula's account paints a starkly different picture. "Scary, cold, hungry and lonely" were just a few words he used to describe the grueling conditions that took a severe toll on his mental health. The constant exposure to danger, coupled with the lack of basic necessities like food and warmth, left him feeling isolated and vulnerable.
Akula spoke candidly about his time in Ukraine, sharing stories of witnessing comrades fall and struggling to cope with the trauma he experienced. He revealed that the isolation was particularly brutal, as fellow soldiers struggled to maintain morale while fighting against an enemy that seemed almost invincible.
"I felt like I'm walking on a tightrope without any safety net," Akula said in a rare interview, shedding light on the psychological strain of war. "You're always looking over your shoulder, waiting for the next attack or the next round of artillery fire."
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the often-overlooked struggles faced by soldiers who find themselves caught in the crossfire.
. I mean, six months of being on the front lines with no food or warmth? That's just cruel. And to make matters worse, he had to watch his friends die and deal with the trauma afterwards 
. It's crazy how the military doesn't always prioritize soldiers' mental health when they're fighting in such harsh conditions 
.
. I mean, how can you even prepare yourself for that kind of thing? And the fact that he had to deal with all that stress and anxiety on top of being hungry and cold... ouch 
.
. But guys like Akula are proof that it's real, and it can have devastating effects 
and honestly i feel bad for him he's already suffering from PTSD and people are like "oh poor him" but what about all the other soldiers who have been fighting this war and are still going strong? shouldn't we be focusing on supporting them instead of tearing down one guy's story? 
. It's crazy to think that even with all the training and equipment, it's the little things like food and warmth that can really take a toll on your mental health, you feel me? 
Akula's story is a total reminder that we shouldn't be looking down our noses at these soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for their country. They're humans too, with feelings and emotions 
We gotta keep talking about these issues so we can raise awareness and make a difference! 
I mean, I know we've been following this war for ages now, but it's still hard to wrap your head around how harsh it must be for those guys on the front lines. Like, Akula's story is just a reminder that even 19 years old can face that kind of stuff and it's just... woah 
...I remember when my little cousin was in his early twenties, joined some volunteer program in our own country and he told me how hard it is to balance daily life with something so much more serious. I wish people would realize that even heroes are human 
...and deserve our support & care, not just during conflicts but also after they've returned home 