For months, 20-year-old Ukrainian volunteer soldier Akula was immersed in a life-threatening situation, where every day felt like an eternity as he battled on the front lines of Russia's invasion. The harsh realities of war - from the biting cold to the scarcity of food and water - took its toll on his mental state.
Akula, who enlisted at the start of the conflict, recounted his harrowing experiences in an exclusive interview with CNN. The weight of his responsibilities as a soldier, coupled with the ever-present fear of death, created a suffocating sense of loneliness that threatened to consume him whole.
"It was scary, cold, hungry and lonely," Akula said, his voice laced with a deep-seated trauma. "Every day was a struggle to survive. You didn't know if you'd make it through the night, or if you'd be able to come home to your family."
As the war raged on, Akula witnessed unspeakable acts of violence and brutality. The memories of these events continue to haunt him, leaving him with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict. The young soldier's ordeal is a stark contrast to the often-romanticized portrayal of war found in media and popular culture.
The psychological toll of combat on those who fight it is often overlooked, but Akula's experience highlights the need for mental health support and understanding for those affected by trauma. His story also underscores the importance of recognizing the complexities and nuances of human resilience in the face of extreme adversity.
Akula, who enlisted at the start of the conflict, recounted his harrowing experiences in an exclusive interview with CNN. The weight of his responsibilities as a soldier, coupled with the ever-present fear of death, created a suffocating sense of loneliness that threatened to consume him whole.
"It was scary, cold, hungry and lonely," Akula said, his voice laced with a deep-seated trauma. "Every day was a struggle to survive. You didn't know if you'd make it through the night, or if you'd be able to come home to your family."
As the war raged on, Akula witnessed unspeakable acts of violence and brutality. The memories of these events continue to haunt him, leaving him with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict. The young soldier's ordeal is a stark contrast to the often-romanticized portrayal of war found in media and popular culture.
The psychological toll of combat on those who fight it is often overlooked, but Akula's experience highlights the need for mental health support and understanding for those affected by trauma. His story also underscores the importance of recognizing the complexities and nuances of human resilience in the face of extreme adversity.
, and it got me thinking... I've been meaning to try out this new coffee shop downtown that serves amazing cat-shaped lattes 
️
. Have you guys tried it? It's supposed to be super cozy too! Anyway, back to Akula's story... I feel so sorry for him, can't even imagine being in his shoes (or should I say, helmet 
). Mental health support is crucial, especially for young folks like him who are just trying to survive and make a difference. 
the media and movies rarely show the real side of war, they make it look all heroic and stuff but really its just people like akula trying to do their job while dealing with mental health issues and trauma we need more awareness and support for soldiers and ppl affected by conflict 
.
. We can't just forget that these soldiers are human beings who are struggling to cope with trauma after trauma. It's time we start treating them with the respect and care they deserve 
. And let's be real, it's not just the soldiers – their families, loved ones, everyone affected by conflict needs support too 
.
. I mean, we all watch these dramas and think "oh that's just a movie", but when you're actually living through it... *shudders*. It's like he's stuck in this perpetual state of survival mode, 24/7.
I mean, we talk about PTSD and trauma, but what's the reality on the ground? Are people getting the help they need? It's easy to get caught up in our own narratives of war, but Akula's story shows us that it's not just about the fighting – it's about the human cost. 
mental health support is so important, we need to be more understanding & not just think about the physical damage war does 
struggling to cope with trauma is real life, not just a movie or book. we should be supporting them, not just patting ourselves on the back for our own patriotic feelings 
mental health matters, plain & simple
. We need to start talking more about mental health, about recognizing the complexities of human resilience, about supporting those who come back from war 
. But Akula's story is a reminder that we need to do better, that we need to listen more and talk less 
. We need to support our troops, not just the ones fighting but also those who come back, who need our help and understanding