War Has Its Price: Ukraine Volunteer Shares Harrowing Experience as He Struggles with PTSD
In a harrowing account, 25-year-old volunteer soldier Akula recounted his terrifying experience on the front lines of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. The young recruit signed up for service at the outbreak of war and has since been grappling with the devastating effects of trauma on his mental health.
Akula's time on the battlefield was marked by extreme conditions - he faced temperatures that plummeted to freezing, endured days without food or water, and lived with a sense of perpetual loneliness. The psychological toll of these hardships is still evident today as Akula struggles to come to terms with his experiences.
"I felt scared all the time," Akula told CNN in an exclusive interview. "I didn't know what would happen next, whether I'd make it through another day or not." His voice trembled as he recounted the countless nights spent huddled in trenches, listening to the sound of artillery fire and watching friends fall.
The trauma of war is a heavy burden for any soldier, but Akula's case highlights the unique challenges faced by young recruits who signed up at the outbreak of conflict. With limited support and resources available to them, these soldiers often find themselves without adequate care or protection as they navigate the psychological complexities of their experiences.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the lasting impact it can have on those who fight it. As he seeks help and healing from his PTSD, Akula's courage in speaking out about his experiences will undoubtedly inspire others to seek support and help in coping with their own trauma.
In a harrowing account, 25-year-old volunteer soldier Akula recounted his terrifying experience on the front lines of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. The young recruit signed up for service at the outbreak of war and has since been grappling with the devastating effects of trauma on his mental health.
Akula's time on the battlefield was marked by extreme conditions - he faced temperatures that plummeted to freezing, endured days without food or water, and lived with a sense of perpetual loneliness. The psychological toll of these hardships is still evident today as Akula struggles to come to terms with his experiences.
"I felt scared all the time," Akula told CNN in an exclusive interview. "I didn't know what would happen next, whether I'd make it through another day or not." His voice trembled as he recounted the countless nights spent huddled in trenches, listening to the sound of artillery fire and watching friends fall.
The trauma of war is a heavy burden for any soldier, but Akula's case highlights the unique challenges faced by young recruits who signed up at the outbreak of conflict. With limited support and resources available to them, these soldiers often find themselves without adequate care or protection as they navigate the psychological complexities of their experiences.
Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the lasting impact it can have on those who fight it. As he seeks help and healing from his PTSD, Akula's courage in speaking out about his experiences will undoubtedly inspire others to seek support and help in coping with their own trauma.
I feel so bad for this young guy Akula, he must be going through some serious stuff after what he experienced on the battlefield 
. It's crazy that he was only 25 when he joined up, I think we should all try to support our soldiers and veterans more, especially those who are struggling with PTSD 
. The government needs to make sure they have better resources for these guys, it's not fair that they're having to deal with this alone 
. We need to be more understanding and compassionate towards people like Akula, who are risking their lives for us 
.
dude I'm so tired of these stories coming out and nobody doing anything about it, like what's the point of having a volunteer program if we're just gonna send them out there and expect them to deal with this stuff on their own? 
it's so heartbreaking seeing him relive those terrifying moments on the front lines, facing extreme conditions & living with perpetual loneliness. PTSD is no joke, it's like, the war may be over but for ppl like akula, the trauma doesn't disappear 
we need more support & resources for these young soldiers who signed up to fight, not just physically but mentally too 
they deserve better than limited care & protection 
it's crazy how war can mess w/ ur mental health like that. i mean, i know we gotta stand up 4 our countries & all but it doesn't mean u gotta be willing 2 sacrifice ur own well-being 
akula's story should def inspire ppl 2 seek help & talk about their struggles w/ ptsd 
that's like, most of them... and it's not just akula's story, it's a reality faced by thousands of soldiers worldwide 
that's like, half of them... and it's not just ukraine, it's a global issue 
did u know that 80% of ptsd cases go untreated? 
Just read about this guy Akula and I'm literally shook. The stats on PTSD are crazy - did you know that 1 in 5 veterans experience PTSD? 
and the loneliness must have been unbearable for him 
but you know what's even worse? There's no one to talk to, no support system 
Maybe he was just some pawn in a larger game, manipulated by the governments of both sides to get more people on the battlefield. I mean, have you seen all these videos and interviews with soldiers like Akula? They always seem so... rehearsed 
. And what about all the equipment and resources that Ukraine gets from other countries? Is it really just to help them fight against Russia? 
It's like there's a bigger agenda at play here, and we're not seeing the whole picture 
.
PTSD is no joke, it's like he's still living through those horrors even now 
it's not just about the physical toll but also the emotional trauma they go through on the battlefield i'm literally sending akula all my positive vibes 