Meet Akula, a 25-year-old volunteer soldier from Ukraine who bravely joined the fight against Russia at the start of the invasion. Now, he's sharing his harrowing experiences on the front line with CNN.
As Akula recounted his story, it was clear that the harsh realities of war had taken a significant toll on his mental health. He described the sense of isolation and loneliness as "scary" – the feeling of being cut off from everything and everyone he loved, leaving him to face the trauma alone.
The biting cold and relentless hunger were just as daunting. Akula spoke of foraging for scraps in the frozen wilderness, where the sounds of gunfire and explosions still echoed in his mind. He described how the lack of basic necessities made every day a struggle, with the constant fear of death hanging over him like a dark cloud.
For Akula, the most difficult part was coping with the emotional toll of witnessing unspeakable horrors on the battlefield. The trauma he experienced would stay with him forever, haunting his dreams and weighing heavily on his psyche.
In an effort to come to terms with what he had seen and endured, Akula turned to his fellow soldiers for support. They formed a tight-knit community, where they could confide in one another and find solace in each other's company. However, this respite was short-lived, as the situation on the front lines continued to deteriorate.
As the war rages on, Akula's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. His story is a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of those who risk everything to protect their homeland. Yet, it also highlights the need for greater support and care for those affected by trauma, including our brave volunteer soldiers like Akula.
As Akula recounted his story, it was clear that the harsh realities of war had taken a significant toll on his mental health. He described the sense of isolation and loneliness as "scary" – the feeling of being cut off from everything and everyone he loved, leaving him to face the trauma alone.
The biting cold and relentless hunger were just as daunting. Akula spoke of foraging for scraps in the frozen wilderness, where the sounds of gunfire and explosions still echoed in his mind. He described how the lack of basic necessities made every day a struggle, with the constant fear of death hanging over him like a dark cloud.
For Akula, the most difficult part was coping with the emotional toll of witnessing unspeakable horrors on the battlefield. The trauma he experienced would stay with him forever, haunting his dreams and weighing heavily on his psyche.
In an effort to come to terms with what he had seen and endured, Akula turned to his fellow soldiers for support. They formed a tight-knit community, where they could confide in one another and find solace in each other's company. However, this respite was short-lived, as the situation on the front lines continued to deteriorate.
As the war rages on, Akula's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. His story is a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of those who risk everything to protect their homeland. Yet, it also highlights the need for greater support and care for those affected by trauma, including our brave volunteer soldiers like Akula.
Watching videos like this one really gets me thinking about the long-term effects of war on individuals, especially when they're not equipped with proper mental health resources 
. It's no surprise that Akula is still dealing with PTSD and emotional trauma months after leaving the front lines... the psychological scars run deep 
. As a society, we need to do more to support soldiers like him who are bravely fighting for their countries, but also provide them with the necessary care and resources to heal and recover 
.
i feel for him so much - mental health struggles are real & it's crazy how some people just keep pushing forward despite everything 
but can we pls talk about the gov not doing enough to support these soldiers? 
they're literally fighting for their lives & country, & all they get is scraps & no proper care 
on the front lines! The mental health struggles are REAL 
. It's heartbreaking that he had to go through that alone, with no one to turn to 
. But at the same time, his story is super inspiring 
, 'cause they're fighting for us too! #WarEffects #MentalHealthMatters #SupportOurTroops
he's so brave to share all this on tv but honestly im worried about his mental health 
but for real though, coping with that kind of trauma is no joke 
i think we need to be more supportive of our soldiers and make sure they get the help they need 
