War-weary Volunteer Describes Life as Soldier in Ukraine
For 21-year-old volunteer soldier Akula, signing up for battle at the start of Russia's invasion was a desperate bid to serve his country. Now, nearly three months into the conflict, he is grappling with the psychological toll it has taken on his mental health.
Akula, who spoke exclusively to CNN about his experiences on the front lines, described life as a soldier in Ukraine as "scary," "cold," "hungry" and "lonely." He recalled nights spent huddled in trenches, shivering beneath layers of thin blankets. The constant din of gunfire and artillery pounded through his ears, yet he felt powerless to protect himself.
The young soldier's days were filled with the grueling task of patrolling the front lines, searching for enemy positions and coordinating with fellow troops. Despite their shared sense of duty, Akula reported feeling "utterly alone" during these missions, as if he was on his own against a foe that seemed invincible.
Akula's experiences have left him struggling to sleep, plagued by nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic events he witnessed. The stress has taken its toll on his relationships with family and friends back home, whom he fears may not fully understand what he's endured.
"I feel like I'm in a different world," Akula confided during his interview with CNN. "It's hard to explain... You just keep thinking about the things you've seen and done. It's like your mind is trying to process it all, but it can't."
As the war rages on, soldiers like Akula are increasingly facing the harsh realities of combat. Their experiences serve as a poignant reminder that even in the midst of conflict, mental health must be prioritized.
"It's hard to find the words to describe what I've seen," Akula concluded, his voice shaking with emotion. "But I know that if you're not speaking out about it, no one will ever know."
For 21-year-old volunteer soldier Akula, signing up for battle at the start of Russia's invasion was a desperate bid to serve his country. Now, nearly three months into the conflict, he is grappling with the psychological toll it has taken on his mental health.
Akula, who spoke exclusively to CNN about his experiences on the front lines, described life as a soldier in Ukraine as "scary," "cold," "hungry" and "lonely." He recalled nights spent huddled in trenches, shivering beneath layers of thin blankets. The constant din of gunfire and artillery pounded through his ears, yet he felt powerless to protect himself.
The young soldier's days were filled with the grueling task of patrolling the front lines, searching for enemy positions and coordinating with fellow troops. Despite their shared sense of duty, Akula reported feeling "utterly alone" during these missions, as if he was on his own against a foe that seemed invincible.
Akula's experiences have left him struggling to sleep, plagued by nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic events he witnessed. The stress has taken its toll on his relationships with family and friends back home, whom he fears may not fully understand what he's endured.
"I feel like I'm in a different world," Akula confided during his interview with CNN. "It's hard to explain... You just keep thinking about the things you've seen and done. It's like your mind is trying to process it all, but it can't."
As the war rages on, soldiers like Akula are increasingly facing the harsh realities of combat. Their experiences serve as a poignant reminder that even in the midst of conflict, mental health must be prioritized.
"It's hard to find the words to describe what I've seen," Akula concluded, his voice shaking with emotion. "But I know that if you're not speaking out about it, no one will ever know."
. I mean, can you imagine being in those shoes, literally fighting for your country and feeling so alone & scared all the time? 
It's like he's stuck in a nightmare that won't wake up 
.
! And I think we can all learn from his story - taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health 
.
. They're not just fighting for their country; they're fighting for themselves, too 
. We should be supporting them, not just in words, but in actions 
.
. Mental health is super important and we gotta start taking care of our soldiers ASAP 
.
I'm literally shook by this article 
. Mental health is super important, especially when you're in a war zone 
. We need to start prioritizing their mental well-being ASAP 
- it's not something you can just "toughen up" about 
their mental health is being totally neglected during these wars 
some people gotta do something to help them 
. We need more support systems in place for these folks, not just once they get back home, but even on the front lines where they can get help ASAP 
. It's all about finding that balance between doing your duty and taking care of yourself during wartime