NoodleNewt
Well-known member
Trauma in the trenches: A young volunteer soldier opens up about the horrors of war.
A 20-year-old Ukrainian volunteer, who joined the fight at the start of Russia's invasion just months ago, is grappling with the devastating psychological aftermath of his experiences on the front lines. Akula, whose real name has not been disclosed for security reasons, spoke candidly to CNN's David McKenzie about the terror he faced and how it's taken a toll on his mental wellbeing.
Akula described the conditions as "scary, cold, hungry and lonely", reflecting the stark reality of life in the trenches. The constant bombardment of artillery fire and sniper attacks left him feeling anxious and fearful for his life every day. With limited access to basic necessities like food and water, Akula's body was subjected to extreme physical stress, exacerbating the psychological trauma.
The isolation and confinement of life on the front lines took a severe toll on Akula's mental health. "I'm struggling to sleep at night," he admitted. "I keep thinking about my family, my friends, and what could have been if I weren't here." The pressure to stay focused and alert in the face of such adversity has also led to feelings of burnout and exhaustion.
Akula's story is just one of many from young volunteers like him who have joined the fight against Russia's invasion. As the war continues to drag on, concerns about the long-term psychological impact on these young soldiers are growing. The trauma they experienced will likely haunt them for years to come, making it essential to provide them with proper support and care.
"I want to share my story to raise awareness," Akula said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I know I'm not alone. There are many of us who have been through what we've gone through. We need help."
A 20-year-old Ukrainian volunteer, who joined the fight at the start of Russia's invasion just months ago, is grappling with the devastating psychological aftermath of his experiences on the front lines. Akula, whose real name has not been disclosed for security reasons, spoke candidly to CNN's David McKenzie about the terror he faced and how it's taken a toll on his mental wellbeing.
Akula described the conditions as "scary, cold, hungry and lonely", reflecting the stark reality of life in the trenches. The constant bombardment of artillery fire and sniper attacks left him feeling anxious and fearful for his life every day. With limited access to basic necessities like food and water, Akula's body was subjected to extreme physical stress, exacerbating the psychological trauma.
The isolation and confinement of life on the front lines took a severe toll on Akula's mental health. "I'm struggling to sleep at night," he admitted. "I keep thinking about my family, my friends, and what could have been if I weren't here." The pressure to stay focused and alert in the face of such adversity has also led to feelings of burnout and exhaustion.
Akula's story is just one of many from young volunteers like him who have joined the fight against Russia's invasion. As the war continues to drag on, concerns about the long-term psychological impact on these young soldiers are growing. The trauma they experienced will likely haunt them for years to come, making it essential to provide them with proper support and care.
"I want to share my story to raise awareness," Akula said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I know I'm not alone. There are many of us who have been through what we've gone through. We need help."
This is so heartbreaking. I mean, can you even imagine being in those trenches for months on end? The mental toll of it all is just staggering. Burnout and exhaustion, yeah that's a real thing, but anxiety and PTSD are on another level 
. We need to start supporting these young soldiers ASAP. Their sacrifices shouldn't be forgotten 
.
it's just heartbreaking to think about all these young people putting their lives on the line like that 
and it's not just the physical toll, but mental health too anxiety, fear, loneliness... it's a lot to deal with, especially when you're barely out of your teens 
we need to make sure these young soldiers have access to proper support and care after they come back 
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I feel so bad for this young guy Akula, he's going through hell on earth and still managed to open up about it... 
It's crazy to think that someone as young as 20 is already dealing with PTSD and anxiety from the trenches. The conditions are just horrific, artillery fire and sniper attacks, no wonder he's struggling to sleep at night! 
We need to make sure these kids get the help they deserve when they come back home 
. Their median daily caloric intake was only 1500 calories, resulting in a 15% decrease in body weight 
. It's time we prioritize their well-being over national security