A British volunteer soldier, Akula, shared a harrowing account of his experiences fighting in Ukraine during the early stages of Russia's invasion. The 26-year-old joined the military with the intention of supporting Ukrainian forces, but what he encountered left him feeling "scary", "cold", "hungry" and above all, "lonely".
Akula described being on the front lines as a "nightmare" where he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of war. He spoke to CNN's David McKenzie about his time in Ukraine, revealing how the trauma of combat is still affecting his mental health.
His experiences included facing extreme cold temperatures, with little access to proper clothing or equipment. The soldier also had to endure periods of hunger and was left feeling isolated from his fellow soldiers and even himself. The psychological strain of constantly being on high alert made it difficult for him to cope, causing him to feel a deep sense of loneliness.
Akula's account highlights the human cost of war and the devastating impact it can have on individuals who choose to serve in combat zones. His story serves as a stark reminder that even those who volunteer for military service are not immune to the traumatic effects of conflict.
Akula described being on the front lines as a "nightmare" where he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of war. He spoke to CNN's David McKenzie about his time in Ukraine, revealing how the trauma of combat is still affecting his mental health.
His experiences included facing extreme cold temperatures, with little access to proper clothing or equipment. The soldier also had to endure periods of hunger and was left feeling isolated from his fellow soldiers and even himself. The psychological strain of constantly being on high alert made it difficult for him to cope, causing him to feel a deep sense of loneliness.
Akula's account highlights the human cost of war and the devastating impact it can have on individuals who choose to serve in combat zones. His story serves as a stark reminder that even those who volunteer for military service are not immune to the traumatic effects of conflict.
... I mean, what's wrong with people? Like, yes we all know war is brutal and stuff, but can't these soldiers just get some support or something?! 
It's not like they signed up for this to be a cakewalk. The mental health implications of being in combat zones are REAL, and I think it's crazy that more isn't being done to help them cope.
And then they're expected to just deal with it and be okay? No way. It's like we're asking them to go through hell and not expect any help.
I mean, I'm all for supporting Ukraine and whatever, but we need to be thinking about the human cost of war here. We can't just forget that these are actual people with feelings and emotions.
. I mean, I knew it wasn't gonna be easy, but this level of exposure? No thanks! Akula's story is giving me nightmares, and I'm just a gamer who likes to play Fortnite online 
. He was literally freezing his butt off with no proper gear, going hungry... and all alone? That's just heartbreaking 
. It's wild how war can affect anyone, regardless of their background or intentions 
.
. It's crazy to think about how one can go from wanting to support someone else's cause to feeling completely lost and alone on the battlefield. I mean, can you even imagine being stuck in extreme cold with no proper gear and having to survive on minimal food? It's like something out of a nightmare... which, btw, is what Akula said it was like 
. The psychological strain of being constantly on high alert must be overwhelming, making it hard to connect with others or even yourself. It's a harsh reminder that war affects not just the people caught in the middle, but also those who choose to serve and fight for a cause 
The thought of being stuck in those cold, dark conditions with no proper gear or food is just heartbreaking. And the loneliness aspect? Ugh, that's just a whole other level of pain. It's like, I get that war is part of some people's lives, but does it have to be so brutal? 
Akula's experiences in Ukraine were super harsh, like, extreme cold temps and no proper gear? That's soooo unfair 
. And the thing is, we assume that when they join up, they're ready for it, but really, no one knows what to expect. It's not just about fighting, it's about being on edge all the time 
. I'm glad he spoke out, though - maybe more people will think twice before signing up 
. The stuff he went through sounds like a total nightmare - freezing cold, starving, feeling super lonely... it's crazy to think about how hard it must've been for him 
.
. Are we just fighting to belong, to be part of something bigger than ourselves? Or are we truly fighting for something that matters? It's a tough one...
. And the loneliness? Forget about it, that's a heavy burden to carry 
.