For a 22-year-old volunteer soldier like Akula, signing up to fight in the war was a hasty decision, driven more by a sense of duty than fear for personal safety. However, when deployed to the front lines of the Russian invasion, he found himself facing unimaginable hardships that no amount of training could prepare him for.
The cold was biting, with temperatures often plummeting below freezing, making every day feel like an endurance test. The harsh environment took its toll on his physical health, with Akula struggling to find enough food and water to sustain himself. The lack of basic necessities made him question the very purpose of his involvement in the conflict.
But it was the psychological toll that proved to be the most daunting challenge for Akula. The isolation from loved ones, coupled with the constant threat of violence, left him feeling scared, hungry, and alone. His experiences on the front lines have left him grappling with feelings of loneliness and disconnection, a condition he has since been diagnosed with as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking candidly to CNN's David McKenzie about his time in combat, Akula shared a harrowing account of life on the front lines. "I saw things that no human should ever have to see," he said, struggling to put into words the trauma he witnessed. His experiences serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of war and the lasting impact it can have on those who fight in it.
In an effort to process his emotions and come to terms with what he experienced, Akula has been receiving therapy and support from loved ones back home. Though the road to recovery will be long and arduous, his bravery and resilience serve as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to persevere even in the darkest of times.
The cold was biting, with temperatures often plummeting below freezing, making every day feel like an endurance test. The harsh environment took its toll on his physical health, with Akula struggling to find enough food and water to sustain himself. The lack of basic necessities made him question the very purpose of his involvement in the conflict.
But it was the psychological toll that proved to be the most daunting challenge for Akula. The isolation from loved ones, coupled with the constant threat of violence, left him feeling scared, hungry, and alone. His experiences on the front lines have left him grappling with feelings of loneliness and disconnection, a condition he has since been diagnosed with as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking candidly to CNN's David McKenzie about his time in combat, Akula shared a harrowing account of life on the front lines. "I saw things that no human should ever have to see," he said, struggling to put into words the trauma he witnessed. His experiences serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of war and the lasting impact it can have on those who fight in it.
In an effort to process his emotions and come to terms with what he experienced, Akula has been receiving therapy and support from loved ones back home. Though the road to recovery will be long and arduous, his bravery and resilience serve as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to persevere even in the darkest of times.
This is insane! 22 years old? Already fighting in a war? What were they thinking?! It's like they're throwing kids into a meat grinder and expecting them to come out unscathed. And the conditions he was facing... no food, water, shelter? It's heartbreaking. I can only imagine how scared and alone he must've felt. PTSD is just the tip of the iceberg - they should be doing so much more to support these young soldiers when they get back home. 
. I mean, the human spirit is strong, but it's not invincible 
. Glad he's getting therapy and support from loved ones 
. Hope he finds some peace soon 
. And on top of that emotional toll, the cold and lack of basic necessities just adds insult to injury 
. PTSD is no joke, man... it's like your mind goes numb and you're left with these overwhelming feelings of loneliness 
. We should be talking about how to prevent this kind of trauma from happening in the first place, not just supporting the ones who do get hurt 
.
it's crazy how much trauma can affect you, even when you're trained for combat 
it's like we're just tryin' to find our way back to ourselves after gettin' lost in the chaos... and even then, there's no guarantee we'll ever be the same
I feel so bad for this young guy Akula, he's been through so much already & it's not fair that he had to face all that hardship in the war zone. 
. We should really be thinking about the human cost of war more often, you know? It's not just about winning or losing... it's about the people who get hurt in the process 
It's just heartbreaking watching someone so young and full of life get caught up in something that's just so senseless... like Akula's story 
. We have to consider the toll war takes on our mental health and well-being 
The government needs to step up their support for these soldiers, not just send them off with some generic therapy session 
. It's the little things, like access to basic necessities, that can make all the difference in someone's mental health. And what about those who don't have loved ones back home? Are they just forgotten? 
.
. And let's not forget, these soldiers are fighting for their countries, but they're also human beings with feelings and emotions 
. We should be supporting them in every way possible, not just financially, but also mentally 
i mean i knew war was harsh but this is just crazy cold temps and lack of basic necessities can't even imagine how hard it must be for him to deal with PTSD too 
gotta get real about war's impact on ppl's mental health now 
. I mean, what's their real motive here? Is it just to get some propaganda footage for the gov't or something? 
It's all about manipulation, if you ask me. These kids are signing up without a clear understanding of what they're getting themselves into and then they're expected to deal with PTSD like it's no big deal 
30%! And it's not just veterans, civilians are also affected by war. I mean, have you seen those charts on displacement and refugee numbers? 
. It's not even like we're getting the full story here - what about the soldiers who don't make it back or are barely scraping by? We need more transparency, not just feel-good stories 
.
the psychological toll is way more damaging than the physical one