British Volunteer Describes Traumatic Experience Fighting in Ukraine
A 20-year-old volunteer soldier from the UK, who enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is struggling to cope with the psychological toll of war. Akula, whose real name has not been disclosed for security reasons, shared his harrowing experiences on the front lines with CNN.
The young soldier described fighting in freezing temperatures, where frostbite and hypothermia became a constant threat. He recalled the eerie silence of no man's land, punctuated only by the sound of gunfire and artillery blasts. Akula also spoke about the harsh conditions inside the trenches, where soldiers were often hungry and thirsty for days on end.
But it was the psychological strain that had the most profound impact on him. "It was scary, cold, hungry and lonely," Akula said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I never thought I'd experience such feelings in my life." He described the trauma of witnessing the brutal effects of war firsthand, including the loss of comrades and civilians caught in the crossfire.
Akula's experiences have taken a significant toll on his mental health. "After leaving Ukraine, I felt lost and disconnected from everything," he explained. "I started to question whether I had made the right decision in joining the military." The young soldier has been receiving counseling to cope with the trauma and is slowly rebuilding his life.
Akula's story highlights the often-overlooked human cost of conflict, where soldiers are sent to fight without adequate support or preparation for the psychological demands of war. As he continues to rebuild his life, Akula hopes that others will learn from his experiences and be more cautious about the risks involved in volunteering for military service.
A 20-year-old volunteer soldier from the UK, who enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is struggling to cope with the psychological toll of war. Akula, whose real name has not been disclosed for security reasons, shared his harrowing experiences on the front lines with CNN.
The young soldier described fighting in freezing temperatures, where frostbite and hypothermia became a constant threat. He recalled the eerie silence of no man's land, punctuated only by the sound of gunfire and artillery blasts. Akula also spoke about the harsh conditions inside the trenches, where soldiers were often hungry and thirsty for days on end.
But it was the psychological strain that had the most profound impact on him. "It was scary, cold, hungry and lonely," Akula said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I never thought I'd experience such feelings in my life." He described the trauma of witnessing the brutal effects of war firsthand, including the loss of comrades and civilians caught in the crossfire.
Akula's experiences have taken a significant toll on his mental health. "After leaving Ukraine, I felt lost and disconnected from everything," he explained. "I started to question whether I had made the right decision in joining the military." The young soldier has been receiving counseling to cope with the trauma and is slowly rebuilding his life.
Akula's story highlights the often-overlooked human cost of conflict, where soldiers are sent to fight without adequate support or preparation for the psychological demands of war. As he continues to rebuild his life, Akula hopes that others will learn from his experiences and be more cautious about the risks involved in volunteering for military service.
. I mean, back in my day, we didn't have all these fancy video games to distract us from reality, but we still had our own struggles like poverty and war 
. At least the soldiers back then weren't expected to handle the psychological stuff on their own... I just wish more people knew what's really going on over there before they sign up for those volunteer programs 
. It's not all about patriotism, it's about making sure these kids are prepared for what they're getting themselves into 
.
he deserves all the support & care he can get, mental health is just as important as physical health 
thats insane! but like seriously tho, akulas story is really scary & heartbreaking 
he went thru so much trauma & its crazy how mental health can affect u after experiencing war 
. This kid, Akula, joins the fight in Ukraine and suddenly he's got PTSD? It's like they're trying to make an example out of him 
. And what about all the other soldiers who might be struggling with similar issues and aren't getting the help they need? Something doesn't add up here...
His experience is like, so sobering and makes me really grateful for my own life 
I mean, can you even imagine having to witness the loss of comrades and civilians like that? 
Like, what even is he supposed to do now? 
Anyway, let this be a lesson to all the aspiring volunteers out there: think twice before jumping into military service without proper prep 
#UkraineConflict #WarTrauma
. I feel like we should be more aware of the mental health impact of wars & conflicts, you know? It's not just about winning or losing, but also about the humans involved 
. I need more info on his background and the specific circumstances of his deployment before I believe this guy's story 
.
. And those trenches, oh man... they sound like some kinda nightmare 
. But the worst part is the loneliness and what he saw on the front lines. I mean, who can even process that kind of stuff? 
. We should be thanking them for serving, but also making sure they get the support they need after it's all over 
. I just hope his experience helps others think twice before joining up for military service 
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I remember when I was 20, I volunteered to help out during the Haiti disaster relief efforts, and it was a real eye-opener for me too. The conditions were tough, but at least we had each other for support. These young soldiers are going through way more than what I went through... 
. It's crazy to think he's still trying to process everything he saw & experienced over there... I hope he gets the best support possible from the authorities & his own people 
but what really gets me is how traumatized he is after witnessing all that violence and loss Akula's story is so sad and it just makes me think about how we take for granted our own safety back home 
. ugh, war is just so... complicated 
akula's story is a big reminder that war affects ppl in ways we can't even imagine