For months, 21-year-old Akula fought on the front lines in Ukraine as a volunteer soldier. What he witnessed during this time would haunt him forever.
As he recounted to CNN's David McKenzie, Akula was consumed by feelings of desperation - he was scared, cold, hungry, and extremely lonely. The grueling reality of war left its indelible mark on his mental health.
"I have PTSD, anxiety, and depression," Akula stated candidly about the emotional toll his experiences took on him. "The sounds, smells, and memories from that time still linger with me."
When asked to describe a typical day on the front line, Akula's expression turned somber. He recalled the constant bombardment of artillery fire, explosions, and screams for help from fellow soldiers and civilians. The pressure of constantly being on high alert took its toll.
"Sometimes you're sleeping; sometimes you're awake," he said about his 5-month stint in combat zones. "It's a perpetual sense of danger that seeps into your subconscious."
As Akula spoke to CNN, it was clear that the harsh conditions and prolonged exposure to trauma have irreparably changed him. The psychological scars will likely take time to heal.
"It's not just about the physical injuries," he cautioned those considering enlisting in military service. "The psychological effects of war should never be underestimated."
Akula's experience serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict, and the devastating impact it can have on individuals who are called upon to fight for their country.
As he recounted to CNN's David McKenzie, Akula was consumed by feelings of desperation - he was scared, cold, hungry, and extremely lonely. The grueling reality of war left its indelible mark on his mental health.
"I have PTSD, anxiety, and depression," Akula stated candidly about the emotional toll his experiences took on him. "The sounds, smells, and memories from that time still linger with me."
When asked to describe a typical day on the front line, Akula's expression turned somber. He recalled the constant bombardment of artillery fire, explosions, and screams for help from fellow soldiers and civilians. The pressure of constantly being on high alert took its toll.
"Sometimes you're sleeping; sometimes you're awake," he said about his 5-month stint in combat zones. "It's a perpetual sense of danger that seeps into your subconscious."
As Akula spoke to CNN, it was clear that the harsh conditions and prolonged exposure to trauma have irreparably changed him. The psychological scars will likely take time to heal.
"It's not just about the physical injuries," he cautioned those considering enlisting in military service. "The psychological effects of war should never be underestimated."
Akula's experience serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict, and the devastating impact it can have on individuals who are called upon to fight for their country.
Akula's story is really hitting close to home for me, you know? I've been studying psychology in school and it's crazy how PTSD can affect people even after they're out of the war zone. It makes me think about our own school safety drills and how we prepare for emergency situations... I mean, who knew that what we practice could actually be a reality for someone like Akula? 
We should definitely talk to our mental health resources more, you know? They might not seem as important when we're just trying to get good grades, but trust me, it's super relevant when life gets tough. 
war is just so messed up and the ppl who get affected by it need all the support they can get! 
we should all be learning from akulas story and making sure military recruitment procedures are in place to protect soldiers mental health too 
My mind is blown. And I'm so sorry he had to go through this. The way he's speaking about PTSD, anxiety, depression... it's like, yeah, we knew it was a thing, but hearing someone recount their experiences is just heartbreaking. 
A 21-year-old volunteer soldier in Ukraine is traumatized by war... surprise, surprise! 
I'm sure it's not like we've seen this before in every single conflict throughout history.
. akula's story is really somber and it's not just about the physical injuries, it's like his mind was also hit hard by all the horror he saw. 
I mean I know we need volunteers in Ukraine but 5 months of non-stop combat is way too much for anyone to handle, especially when you're still figuring out who you are 
. We should really be thinking twice before sending people into these situations, its not just about physical injuries, mental health matters too 
... it's like, totally draining! The pressure to stay vigilant is immense, and I can only imagine how hard it must've been for Akula and his fellow soldiers 
. You're constantly on edge, waiting for the next attack, and when u r finally able to relax, u're still haunted by the memories of what happened. It's like u can't escape the weight of ur own experiences 
. We need more support systems in place for soldiers who come back, cuz trust me, it's not just about getting over something with a little time and space 
...
. We need to make sure they're aware of the risks, both physical and emotional. It's not all heroics and bravery; it's real life with real consequences 
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. And yeah, they're not just worried about bullets and bombs, it's all these other stuff too - sounds, smells, memories... it's like their brain is stuck in this war zone mode 
. And what really gets me is that they're still dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression... when will we learn from this? 
We gotta find better ways to support our soldiers and help them cope with all this trauma 