A 20-year-old Ukrainian volunteer soldier, Akula, who enlisted in the war effort at its inception, is struggling to cope with the psychological aftermath of his experiences on the battlefield.
In a harrowing account shared with CNN's David McKenzie, Akula described the grueling conditions he endured as a front-line fighter. The constant exposure to danger left him feeling "scary, cold, hungry and lonely", highlighting the extreme physical and emotional toll of war on the young soldier.
Akula recalled the months he spent fighting in the Russian invasion, facing relentless bombardment and witnessing countless comrades fall in battle. He described the isolation and disconnection from home and loved ones, a sense of desolation that is all too common among soldiers stationed far from family and friends.
The prolonged exposure to trauma and stress took a significant toll on Akula's mental health, leaving him struggling with what has been identified as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His experiences have left him feeling vulnerable, haunted by memories of the horrors he witnessed and unable to shake off the sense of dread that lingers long after his time on the front lines.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the unseen costs of war, where the physical wounds often give way to more insidious struggles with mental health. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to rage on, it is clear that the psychological toll on those serving will only continue to grow unless efforts are made to address this critical aspect of soldier well-being.
In a harrowing account shared with CNN's David McKenzie, Akula described the grueling conditions he endured as a front-line fighter. The constant exposure to danger left him feeling "scary, cold, hungry and lonely", highlighting the extreme physical and emotional toll of war on the young soldier.
Akula recalled the months he spent fighting in the Russian invasion, facing relentless bombardment and witnessing countless comrades fall in battle. He described the isolation and disconnection from home and loved ones, a sense of desolation that is all too common among soldiers stationed far from family and friends.
The prolonged exposure to trauma and stress took a significant toll on Akula's mental health, leaving him struggling with what has been identified as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His experiences have left him feeling vulnerable, haunted by memories of the horrors he witnessed and unable to shake off the sense of dread that lingers long after his time on the front lines.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the unseen costs of war, where the physical wounds often give way to more insidious struggles with mental health. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to rage on, it is clear that the psychological toll on those serving will only continue to grow unless efforts are made to address this critical aspect of soldier well-being.
. It's not just about physical wounds, it's like Akula said, being scared, cold, hungry and lonely all the time... that's some heavy stuff. We should really think about how we can support these guys when they come back, you know?
and it's just not fair. We need to be more supportive of our soldiers, you know? They're putting everything on the line over there, and we need to make sure they have people who care about them. 
. I mean, we all know the physical stuff, but the mental health effects? It's like, how can you even prepare for that? 
Akula's story is just heartbreaking - 20 years old, fighting since day one... that's some crazy stuff 
. And PTSD? It's not just something that happens to soldiers, it's a real thing that can affect anyone who experiences trauma 
. We need to do better, you know? Like, support our troops and all, but also make sure they're getting the help they need 
. The stats on PTSD are already terrifying, and now we're learning that it can be this debilitating... I'm all for getting our troops home safely, but we gotta make sure we're taking care of them before we send them back out into harm's way 
. We must prioritize the emotional toll of war and work towards creating a more compassionate and supportive environment for those who serve 
.
also, why do people join the military voluntarily if they're gonna be scared all the time? like, aren't there better things to do with your life? 
war zone. I can only imagine how scary and lonely it must feel to be constantly on edge, witnessing things that most people can't even imagine. PTSD is a harsh reality for many soldiers, and it's heartbreaking to see someone so young struggle with it 
. We need to do more to support our brave men and women in uniform, both during and after the conflict 
it's so easy for us to think of soldiers as superheroes, but the truth is war can take a huge toll on their mental health too 
we need to make sure our troops have access to good support systems and resources when they get back home 
the fact that Akula is struggling just highlights how much more we need to do to help these young heroes 
. It's not just about giving them a medal or a thank-you, it's about helping them deal with the demons that haunt them for years after the battle is over 
. We should be doing way more to help them cope, you know?
.