Eyewitness accounts of a harrowing experience are often the only way to truly understand the complexity of modern warfare. For one volunteer soldier, Akula, who enlisted in Ukraine at the start of Russia's invasion, the psychological toll of battle is still very much alive.
Akula, just 22 years old, recounts the grueling reality of life on the front lines with unflinching candor. "It was scary," he says. "Cold, too – I had to endure sub-zero temperatures while fighting in the freezing darkness." As a volunteer soldier, Akula faced the harsh realities of war, often with limited resources and no clear escape route.
Akula's account paints a stark picture of the psychological strain imposed by combat. Describing his days as "hungry" and "lonely", he reveals the crushing sense of isolation that comes with fighting in distant lands far from loved ones. The weight of this trauma has taken its toll on Akula's mental health.
Speaking candidly to CNN's David McKenzie, Akula shares a glimpse into the anguish of living through one of modern warfare's most brutal conflicts. His experiences are a poignant reminder of the unseen costs of war and the human cost that often gets overlooked in our narratives of conflict.
Akula, just 22 years old, recounts the grueling reality of life on the front lines with unflinching candor. "It was scary," he says. "Cold, too – I had to endure sub-zero temperatures while fighting in the freezing darkness." As a volunteer soldier, Akula faced the harsh realities of war, often with limited resources and no clear escape route.
Akula's account paints a stark picture of the psychological strain imposed by combat. Describing his days as "hungry" and "lonely", he reveals the crushing sense of isolation that comes with fighting in distant lands far from loved ones. The weight of this trauma has taken its toll on Akula's mental health.
Speaking candidly to CNN's David McKenzie, Akula shares a glimpse into the anguish of living through one of modern warfare's most brutal conflicts. His experiences are a poignant reminder of the unseen costs of war and the human cost that often gets overlooked in our narratives of conflict.
they're just tryna do their job but end up losin' themselves in the process it's like, what even is the point of winnin' if u can't even take care of ur own mental health? 
akula's story is a real eye opener, it's not all about heroics and patriotism, it's about the human cost of war 
. How many more can we afford to sacrifice like this? And it's not even about the physical toll, it's about the emotional one too - loneliness, isolation, being hungry all the time... just so some politicians can have their little power trip 
. It's getting to the point where we need to rethink what war is really doing to our youth 
And the loneliness must've been unbearable - just being away from loved ones for so long... it's heartbreaking. 
. Do you think we can do more to support them?
For Akula and others like him, it's not just about winning or losing, it's about surviving and dealing with the mental health consequences that come with it.
And yeah, I agree, the psychological toll of war is often overlooked in our narratives. We should be hearing more about the emotional scars that soldiers like Akula carry with them long after they've left the battlefield.
. I mean, I get it, he volunteered to help Ukraine, but still... sub-zero temps in the dark? Brrr 
. It's crazy how war can mess with your head like that. Can't even imagine being that lonely and scared all the time... poor dude 
.
22 years old and he's already been through so much! 
You're so brave and strong, guys! 
. We need more conversations about the human cost of war, not just the news headlines 
.
i mean, we talk about PTSD but it's not just that, the whole 'being alone' thing is like a double whammy on mental health, you know? and honestly, it's kinda sad that people still don't get the full picture of what's going on in those war zones 
some people think it's just about winning or losing but nope, it's way more complicated than that 
and it's like... his experiences are still so raw and real 
it's crazy how we forget to talk about the human side of war and all its emotional fallout 
the psychological toll of war is somethin no one should ever have to go thru. it's not just about gettin shot or injured, its about the loneliness and isolation that comes with fightin for a cause you believe in 
the fact that akula can still talk about it is a testament to his strength, but also a reminder of how far he's struggled to cope 
hope akula gets the help he needs
, struggling with hunger & loneliness 
. Mental health matters should always be prioritized 
, but also saving lives 
and get people talking about it openly 
. 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this article about Akula, the 22-year-old volunteer soldier. I mean, sub-zero temps on the front lines? That's crazy!