"A Desolate Reality: Young Volunteer Soldier Speaks Out About Traumatic Experience in Ukraine"
A 25-year-old volunteer soldier, Akula, who enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion in Ukraine, is now reeling from the psychological toll of war. In a harrowing account shared with CNN journalist David McKenzie, Akula candidly described his time on the front lines and the debilitating effects it has taken on his mental health.
Akula recounted moments of "scary" situations where he narrowly escaped gunfire, felt an overwhelming sense of isolation as he fought alone in the freezing Ukrainian wilderness. The soldier revealed that hunger was a constant companion during this period, leaving him often feeling weak and vulnerable.
As the days turned into weeks, Akula began to feel a pervasive sense of loneliness creeping over him, making it difficult for him to sleep or concentrate on even the simplest tasks. In an attempt to cope with his growing anxiety, he resorted to self-medicating, consuming copious amounts of coffee in a desperate bid to keep his energy levels up.
When asked about how he had managed to stay motivated throughout this ordeal, Akula admitted that it was "a struggle" and often felt like giving up. Despite his valiant efforts, the soldier revealed that he began experiencing debilitating symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, which have left him feeling haunted long after his time on the front lines has ended.
The haunting images of a young man barely out of his teenage years sharing his harrowing experiences paints a stark picture of the unseen costs of war. The trauma experienced by soldiers like Akula serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact that conflict can have on those who brave its dangers, leaving deep scars that linger long after they return home.
A 25-year-old volunteer soldier, Akula, who enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion in Ukraine, is now reeling from the psychological toll of war. In a harrowing account shared with CNN journalist David McKenzie, Akula candidly described his time on the front lines and the debilitating effects it has taken on his mental health.
Akula recounted moments of "scary" situations where he narrowly escaped gunfire, felt an overwhelming sense of isolation as he fought alone in the freezing Ukrainian wilderness. The soldier revealed that hunger was a constant companion during this period, leaving him often feeling weak and vulnerable.
As the days turned into weeks, Akula began to feel a pervasive sense of loneliness creeping over him, making it difficult for him to sleep or concentrate on even the simplest tasks. In an attempt to cope with his growing anxiety, he resorted to self-medicating, consuming copious amounts of coffee in a desperate bid to keep his energy levels up.
When asked about how he had managed to stay motivated throughout this ordeal, Akula admitted that it was "a struggle" and often felt like giving up. Despite his valiant efforts, the soldier revealed that he began experiencing debilitating symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, which have left him feeling haunted long after his time on the front lines has ended.
The haunting images of a young man barely out of his teenage years sharing his harrowing experiences paints a stark picture of the unseen costs of war. The trauma experienced by soldiers like Akula serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact that conflict can have on those who brave its dangers, leaving deep scars that linger long after they return home.
this makes me wanna cry, dude... i feel bad for akula 
and all the other soldier's out there goin thru the same thing 
it's crazy how somethin that's meant to be heroic can have such a devastating effect on their mental health 
i mean, we always talk about PTSD but honestly, it's not just soldiers who suffer from it 
it's anyone who's been through trauma, and it's time we start takin' it more seriously 
. I mean, I know he's a volunteer soldier, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with the trauma. He's barely out of his teens and now he's struggling with flashbacks and nightmares... it's just heartbreaking 
.
. It can't be easy, you know? The physical wounds might heal faster, but the emotional scars... that takes a long time to mend 
. We should be supporting them, not just forgetting about their struggles 
.
, i can only imagine how hard it must be for him to deal with all these flashbacks and nightmares 
. it's time we start talking more about the mental health of soldiers who serve our countries 
, we need to make sure they get the support they deserve 
.
I'm literally getting chills just reading about his experiences, it's so heartbreaking 
.
. It's not just about them, it's about our collective humanity 
. We need to make sure we're taking care of each other, especially those who have served our country with courage and sacrifice 
I mean, what's up with these volunteer soldiers? They're just 25 and already dealing with PTSD? It's like, you go to fight for a country, you expect to get your butt kicked or injured, but this is some next level stuff 
.
it's just not right that he had to go through all that trauma in the first place 
we gotta make sure those who serve their country are taken care of after they come back 
the system has got to change, it can't be just "we're glad you served" 
when people are struggling to cope with what they've been through 
I feel like giving up myself just reading about it! And the symptoms he described - flashbacks and nightmares? That's just devastating 
This kid's got more PTSD than a Reddit thread about being cancel culture'd 
.
. And yeah, coffee is definitely the answer to everything 
. It's a real shame that he had to go through this stuff, but I guess it's a great way to get some sympathy points from us all