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British Volunteer Soldier Describes Harrowing Experience on Ukraine Front Lines
For 23-year-old Akula, joining the fight against Russia in Ukraine was a heroic call to arms. Now, as he struggles to cope with the trauma of war, he's revealing the true horrors he faced on the front lines.
Akula, who enlisted at the beginning of the Russian invasion, described experiencing feelings of 'scary, cold, hungry and lonely' as he battled his way through the frozen Ukrainian landscape. The young volunteer soldier spoke candidly to CNN about his time in the midst of war, painting a picture of an unrelenting environment that took its toll on both body and mind.
The harsh conditions and constant threat of danger left Akula feeling isolated and disconnected from home. He described long periods without sleep or basic necessities like food and water, forcing him to confront the darkest corners of human endurance. "It was just me, my mates, and the enemy," he recalled. "There was no escape, no respite – we were all in it together."
As Akula recounted his harrowing experiences, it became clear that the physical toll of war was only matched by the emotional strain. He spoke candidly about struggling to cope with the PTSD that has left him feeling 'lost and scared' since returning home.
"It's funny how you can be fighting for what seems like a just cause, but then you get to see the reality of it all," Akula said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I've lost friends, seen things I wish I never saw... it's hard to shake off."
The weight of his experiences has left Akula questioning everything he thought he knew about war and its impact on those who fight it. As he navigates the complex web of emotions that come with returning home, one thing is clear: the memories of Ukraine will stay with him forever.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of supporting those who have served in the military. His courage in speaking out about his experiences has sparked hope for others struggling to cope with their own trauma – proof that even in the darkest times, there is always a way forward.
For 23-year-old Akula, joining the fight against Russia in Ukraine was a heroic call to arms. Now, as he struggles to cope with the trauma of war, he's revealing the true horrors he faced on the front lines.
Akula, who enlisted at the beginning of the Russian invasion, described experiencing feelings of 'scary, cold, hungry and lonely' as he battled his way through the frozen Ukrainian landscape. The young volunteer soldier spoke candidly to CNN about his time in the midst of war, painting a picture of an unrelenting environment that took its toll on both body and mind.
The harsh conditions and constant threat of danger left Akula feeling isolated and disconnected from home. He described long periods without sleep or basic necessities like food and water, forcing him to confront the darkest corners of human endurance. "It was just me, my mates, and the enemy," he recalled. "There was no escape, no respite – we were all in it together."
As Akula recounted his harrowing experiences, it became clear that the physical toll of war was only matched by the emotional strain. He spoke candidly about struggling to cope with the PTSD that has left him feeling 'lost and scared' since returning home.
"It's funny how you can be fighting for what seems like a just cause, but then you get to see the reality of it all," Akula said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I've lost friends, seen things I wish I never saw... it's hard to shake off."
The weight of his experiences has left Akula questioning everything he thought he knew about war and its impact on those who fight it. As he navigates the complex web of emotions that come with returning home, one thing is clear: the memories of Ukraine will stay with him forever.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of supporting those who have served in the military. His courage in speaking out about his experiences has sparked hope for others struggling to cope with their own trauma – proof that even in the darkest times, there is always a way forward.
this is so sad 
akula's story is giving me chills... i cant even imagine being in those shoes 
the thought of no sleep, food or water for days is just too much to handle 
and the emotional toll of watching friends get hurt or worse... it's like his story is saying that war is not just about grand heroic acts, but also about the everyday human cost 
. I mean, we know war is brutal and all, but this kid Akula's story takes it to another level. 23 years old, fighting for what he thinks is a good cause, but the reality of it hits him like a ton of bricks. He talks about being scared, cold, hungry, lonely... it's like you're right there with him, experiencing all that fear and uncertainty 
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I feel so bad for this young guy Akula, just 23 and already seen some of the worst things war can throw at you. He's right, it's not all about fighting for a cause, it's also about dealing with the harsh realities that come with it 
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His story is so brave 
and honestly it's making me think... how many ppl are affected by PTSD & mental health issues after war? 
did u know 1 in 5 veterans experience PTSD? 
75% of those who experience PTSD will need some form of treatment 
Ukraine has reported over 40,000 civilian casualties since russian invasion 
because it can lead to a change in how we perceive & tackle PTSD & mental health issues in the military 
it's just heartbreaking to think about Akula and all the other soldiers he went through what he did on the front lines 
. The fact that he's speaking out about his experiences is truly admirable and might inspire others to share their own stories, helping break the stigma surrounding mental health 
i mean we can't even imagine what it'd be like to be on the front lines of war but someone like akula is literally living that nightmare 24/7 and it's just... wow 
. and what really hits me is when he says that just because you're fighting for a cause, doesn't mean the reality of it all won't still be super hard to deal with 
my heart goes out to him and all the others who've been through similar trauma... how are we gonna support them after this? 
PTSD is no joke and I'm glad he's speaking out about his experiences, it's a big step towards bringing attention to the emotional toll of war on soldiers 
I'm so glad he's sharing his experience, it's like, totally eye-opening about what volunteers go through on the front lines 
Like, can you even imagine being in that situation for who knows how long without sleep or basic necessities? 
and then dealing with PTSD afterwards... it's like, totally mental 
It's crazy to think about how one person's story can make a difference, but at the same time, it's also really heartbreaking that he had to go through all that trauma in the first place 
.