A Ukrainian volunteer soldier, identified as 21-year-old Akula, recounted his harrowing experience on the front lines in an exclusive interview with CNN journalist David McKenzie.
Akula joined the fight against Russian forces at the beginning of their invasion but now finds himself struggling to cope with the trauma he witnessed. "It's scary, cold, hungry and lonely," he described his current state, highlighting the severe physical and emotional toll the war has taken on him.
Akula shared with CNN that being stationed in a war zone exposed him to unimaginable horrors, leaving him emotionally scarred. The prolonged exposure to violence, loss of loved ones, and uncertainty have all contributed to his mental health struggles.
"It's like being trapped in your own nightmare," Akula said, conveying the sense of desperation and hopelessness he felt while serving on the front lines. He expressed that the emotional weight of witnessing such atrocities has made it increasingly difficult for him to sleep or even find joy in daily activities.
Akula's account paints a stark picture of the human cost of war, where the psychological scars often prove just as debilitating as physical wounds. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching effects of conflict on civilians and soldiers alike.
Akula joined the fight against Russian forces at the beginning of their invasion but now finds himself struggling to cope with the trauma he witnessed. "It's scary, cold, hungry and lonely," he described his current state, highlighting the severe physical and emotional toll the war has taken on him.
Akula shared with CNN that being stationed in a war zone exposed him to unimaginable horrors, leaving him emotionally scarred. The prolonged exposure to violence, loss of loved ones, and uncertainty have all contributed to his mental health struggles.
"It's like being trapped in your own nightmare," Akula said, conveying the sense of desperation and hopelessness he felt while serving on the front lines. He expressed that the emotional weight of witnessing such atrocities has made it increasingly difficult for him to sleep or even find joy in daily activities.
Akula's account paints a stark picture of the human cost of war, where the psychological scars often prove just as debilitating as physical wounds. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching effects of conflict on civilians and soldiers alike.
. It's crazy how the platform we use to share our thoughts can sometimes feel like it's taking its toll too... have you guys noticed how every time we scroll through, there are just so many negative headlines and news? 
It feels like the world is always telling us something bad is happening somewhere. I mean, I get why we need to stay informed, but can't we focus on some good vibes for a change?! 
it's crazy to think about how mental health is being overlooked in all this chaos 
like, we're all so focused on news reports and war updates that we forget that people are human beings too 
struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression... 
it's not just about the physical wounds, but the emotional toll it takes on you 
it's crazy to think that he was just 21 when he joined the fight and now can't even sleep or find joy in daily activities... 
did you know that Ukraine has over 300,000 people living with mental health issues due to the war? 
let's hope more ppl talk about this and get help 
. The fact that Akula is struggling to cope with trauma just from being on the front lines is a stark reminder of how wars affect everyone involved. We need to make sure we're doing better, not just talking about it 
. We need to support our soldiers and civilians who are fighting for their freedom, because let's be honest, it's not just about winning battles – it's about staying sane 
. We should all take a moment to appreciate the heroes like Akula who risk everything to protect their country 
this war is having a ripple effect on so many lives, and we need to start taking it seriously
That's just too much to handle I feel like I'd be a mess if I were in his shoes 
Anyway, Akula's account is a total reminder of how war affects not just the soldiers but also the civilians 
