For months, 22-year-old Ukrainian volunteer soldier Akula braved the unforgiving battlefield, fighting for what he believes in. But as his tour of duty came to an end, the harsh realities of war began to catch up with him.
The sounds of gunfire and screams still echo in his mind, a constant reminder of the horrors he witnessed firsthand. "It's scary, cold, hungry, and lonely," Akula recounted, speaking candidly with CNN about his experiences on the front lines. The weight of those words is more than just a metaphor – for Akula, they are a stark reality.
Akula joined the fight at the beginning of Russia's invasion, driven by patriotism and a sense of duty. Yet as he delved deeper into the conflict, the psychological toll began to take its toll. "I'm not going crazy, I'm just exhausted," he admitted. "The constant fear, the loss of sleep – it all adds up."
His story is not unique. Many young soldiers like Akula are struggling to cope with the trauma they've experienced on the battlefield. The psychological scars run deep, and without proper support, the wounds can be debilitating.
For Akula, seeking help was a daunting task. As a volunteer soldier, he felt pressured to put his country first, even when it meant neglecting his own well-being. "It's not that I don't want to talk about it," he said, "but sometimes you need time to process it all."
The struggle to find balance between war and peace is one Akula faces daily. When he's back home with family and friends, the memories seem distant, but when he's alone, they come flooding back. His friends and family are his lifeline, offering a sense of normalcy in a world that's been turned upside down.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. As the conflict rages on, soldiers like Akula continue to fight for what they believe in, often without respite or support. It's a testament to their bravery and resilience – but also a stark warning about the dangers of trauma and its lasting impact.
The sounds of gunfire and screams still echo in his mind, a constant reminder of the horrors he witnessed firsthand. "It's scary, cold, hungry, and lonely," Akula recounted, speaking candidly with CNN about his experiences on the front lines. The weight of those words is more than just a metaphor – for Akula, they are a stark reality.
Akula joined the fight at the beginning of Russia's invasion, driven by patriotism and a sense of duty. Yet as he delved deeper into the conflict, the psychological toll began to take its toll. "I'm not going crazy, I'm just exhausted," he admitted. "The constant fear, the loss of sleep – it all adds up."
His story is not unique. Many young soldiers like Akula are struggling to cope with the trauma they've experienced on the battlefield. The psychological scars run deep, and without proper support, the wounds can be debilitating.
For Akula, seeking help was a daunting task. As a volunteer soldier, he felt pressured to put his country first, even when it meant neglecting his own well-being. "It's not that I don't want to talk about it," he said, "but sometimes you need time to process it all."
The struggle to find balance between war and peace is one Akula faces daily. When he's back home with family and friends, the memories seem distant, but when he's alone, they come flooding back. His friends and family are his lifeline, offering a sense of normalcy in a world that's been turned upside down.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. As the conflict rages on, soldiers like Akula continue to fight for what they believe in, often without respite or support. It's a testament to their bravery and resilience – but also a stark warning about the dangers of trauma and its lasting impact.
honestly, reading this is just so draining I feel bad for this guy Akula he sounds like he's been through hell and back and it's not just the physical stuff either mental exhaustion can be way worse than gunshot wounds 
. I mean, can you even imagine having those kinds of memories stuck in your head forever? It's like, they're fighting for their country, but what about their own mental health? 
It's crazy how the psychological toll of war can be just as bad as the physical one.
We need to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health.
.
it's crazy to think that even after his tour is over, he's still dealing with PTSD vibes 
like, I get it, war is brutal, but this kid has been through hell and back 
and no one seems to be stepping up to help him out. I'm all for patriotism, but not at the expense of a person's mental health 
And I get why he'd feel like he needs to put his country first, but can't he just take a break and prioritize his own mental health for once? 
... Wait, no... maybe the fact that he's even willing to talk about it is more than enough, right? 
... Uh, I don't know...
. I can only imagine how tough it must be to see stuff that no one should ever have to see, and then have to deal with the emotional aftermath of it all 
.
it's crazy how some platforms are so focused on getting new content up and running that they neglect the mental health of their soldiers 
also, shouldn't these platforms be providing some kind of support system or resources for people like Akula who are struggling to cope with trauma? 
they deserve so much better than to be treated like this 
or else it's gonna take a toll on them for the rest of their lives 
. Newsflash: just because you're a volunteer soldier doesn't mean you're immune to PTSD 
. These young dudes are literally fighting for their lives and still struggling to cope with the trauma after they come home 
I'm literally shook by this story of Akula, he's so strong for having gone through all that. I can only imagine how hard it must be for him to process everything and not know where to turn. 
We need more awareness about PTSD and its effects on soldiers like Akula. 
I'm sending all my love and positive vibes his way, hoping he finds peace and healing soon 
. And I think we need to talk about how we, as a society, handle veterans when they come back 
We need to make sure our veterans are prioritized and given the help they need, so they don't suffer in silence like Akula did.