‘Scary, cold, hungry and lonely’: Volunteer soldier shares experience on front line | CNN

"War's Dark Side: The Psychological Toll of a Volunteer Soldier"

As the war rages on in Ukraine, one young volunteer soldier is struggling to cope with the trauma he experienced on the front lines. Akula, who enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion, recounts the harrowing realities of life as a combatant, revealing a side of the conflict that often goes unreported.

"My days were filled with fear," Akula shares, his voice laced with anxiety. "I was scared for my life every time I stepped out of our defensive perimeter." The constant threat of attack and the knowledge that he might not make it back home weighed heavily on his mind, causing him to feel increasingly isolated from those around him.

The harsh environment of the front lines only added to Akula's emotional distress. "It was bitterly cold," he describes, his eyes clouding over as he recalls the freezing temperatures. "I would go without food for days at a time, and the hunger pangs were unbearable." These basic human needs – food, warmth, and companionship – were consistently denied him.

But it's not just the physical hardships that have left Akula struggling with his mental health. The psychological toll of witnessing comrades fall and losing friends to the conflict has taken a devastating impact on his well-being. "I feel lonely," he admits, his voice cracking as he speaks of the emotional void that has settled in. "Sometimes I wonder if anyone would even notice if I disappeared."

Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the often-overlooked mental health struggles of those who serve on the front lines. His experience is a stark contrast to the bravery and patriotism often associated with soldiers, highlighting the need for more support and understanding in the face of conflict.

As Akula looks back on his time as a volunteer soldier, he's left with a sense of regret and loss – not just for those who didn't make it back home but also for the emotional toll that war has taken on him. "I wish I could go back to normal life," he says, his eyes filled with longing. "But I know that will never be possible."

You know, I'm really worried about these volunteer soldiers like Akula... they're already putting their lives on the line for this war, and then you've got the psychological toll of it all? It's just too much. They're not getting the support they need, and it's gonna be a long road to recovery... I mean, we think about PTSD and all that, but this is different - it's the daily struggle to cope with the trauma on a daily basis. And what really gets me is that society just doesn't seem to care about them enough... they're not getting the help they need because they're seen as just another casualty of war, rather than human beings who are struggling to survive. It's just not right

omg this is soooo deep Akula's story is literally heartbreaking can't even imagine going through that kind of trauma and feeling so alone war is like, totally not just about bravery & patriotism, it's also about the emotional toll on ppl who are actually fighting it and honestly, we need to start giving more support to these guys (and girls) who are putting everything on the line Akula's story needs to be seen by more ppl so that they know they're not alone mental health matters, tbh

it's so sad how many of these soldiers are struggling like akula is. their mental health matters should get more attention than just 'we're grateful for their service'. we need to make sure they have the support they need, not just a pat on the back and a parade

War's so messed up, ya know? It's not just about winning or losing, it's about the people who get caught in the middle. This guy Akula, he's like a real-life hero, but also a human being with feelings and emotions... He's struggling to cope with what he saw and experienced on the front lines, and that's no joke. Mental health support is super important for soldiers, we gotta make sure they're not just fighting for their country, but also for their own sanity .

the mental health struggles of soldiers is such a big deal, you feel? i mean, we all think of them as brave warriors but war really takes a toll on people's minds . it's like they're expected to just keep going even when their emotions are shattered . i wish more people would talk about this stuff and not just focus on the heroics . akula's story is so heartbreaking, you can feel his pain just reading it . we need to support these soldiers after the war is over, not just in the heat of battle .

I'm so worried about this young guy Akula... He's been through so much and it's heartbreaking to think about the emotional scars he'll carry for the rest of his life. But you know what really gets me? The fact that there are still people out there who care and want to listen to him, like they're doing here. It's amazing how one person can make a difference in someone else's life.

And I think it's also super important to remember that soldiers don't just fight for their country, they're human beings too... with feelings, fears, and vulnerabilities. We need to start talking more about mental health in the military and making sure our brave guys like Akula have access to the support they need.

It's not all doom and gloom, though! There are still so many amazing stories of resilience and courage coming out of this conflict... people who are using their experiences to make a positive impact. Like, there are volunteers working tirelessly to help those affected by the war... it gives me hope for the future

This is so heartbreaking ... I mean, I've been following this guy Akula's story and it's just crazy how much emotional toll war can take on someone's mental health. It's not just about the physical stuff like hunger and cold, but the psychological trauma of seeing friends die and feeling like you're all alone in the midst of chaos ... I think we need to be talking more about this and supporting our soldiers in a better way . We can't just say they're brave or patriotic when it's clear that war is having a devastating impact on their lives ...

this article is really heartbreaking akula's story is a great reminder of the human cost of war and how it affects not just the soldiers but also their families and loved ones it's so true that we often think of soldiers as brave patriots, but it's the emotional toll that war takes on them that's just as devastating and honestly i wish there was more support and understanding for mental health struggles in conflict zones it's not just about the physical hardships, but also the psychological trauma and loneliness that comes with it

war's a bloody mess and it's not just about bravery or patriotism... i mean, yeah, those things are important but you can't ignore the mental health toll on these soldiers they're fighting for their country but also for their own sanity lol, can't say i blame akula for feeling lonely and disconnected from everyone back home war's a strange thing, it takes everything away from you, even your sense of identity... anyway, gotta give it to these guys who are still standing (literally ), they're serving their country with hearts full of hope and fears that'd make anyone want to crawl into a hole but seriously, we need more support for these soldiers 'n' their families

It's crazy how we still don't talk about the mental health stuff that happens during wars . Like, we're all like 'oh, they're so brave' but what about the PTSD and anxiety that comes with it? It's not just about being scared of getting hurt, it's also about the emotional toll of losing friends and seeing people you trust get hurt .

And can we talk about how we prepare these soldiers for the psychological stuff beforehand? Like, we know it's coming but we don't really prep them . It's like we just expect them to be all tough and stuff and then when they break, we're all 'oh no' .

It's not just Akula's story though, it's a lot of soldiers who are going through this and we need to start talking about it more . We need to make sure that we're supporting them and helping them get the help they need . It's time for us to stop being all 'tough' and start being all 'supportive' .

I feel so bad for this young guy Akula, he's been through way too much. The mental health support for soldiers is super lacking, if you ask me. I mean, what kind of war doesn't provide warm meals and a comfy place to sleep? It's not just about the physical toll, it's about the emotional trauma too. I've seen so many people struggle with PTSD after their service, and it's just heartbreaking.

And can we talk about how isolating it must be for someone like Akula who feels like they're all alone in their struggles? It's not just about being scared for your life, it's about feeling like you don't fit in anywhere. I wish more people could understand what it's really like to be a soldier and the impact it has on their mental health.

We need to do better than just sending out pats on the back for our soldiers when they come home. We need real support, not just some token gestures. It's time for us to step up and provide them with the care they deserve.

You think Ukraine is being portrayed as just another victim of Russia's invasion? Get real, it's a complex issue, and soldiers like Akula are often the forgotten ones . They're not just fighting for their country; they're also dealing with PTSD and whatnot. The media only highlights the bravest ones, but what about those who can't cope? It's time to acknowledge that war isn't just black and white – it's messy, and humans get messed up in the process .

And btw, have you seen the pictures of these soldiers' living conditions? Freezing temps, no food for days... it's a miracle anyone makes it out alive. We need to talk about the human cost of war, not just the politics or the patriotic speeches .

this article is so sad, you can literally feel the weight of fear and loneliness in Akula's words. like, how do you even process all the traumatic stuff when you're still alive? i think it's crazy that people still don't talk about the mental health aspects of war because, let's be real, it's a big part of what soldiers go through... and honestly, who can even prepare for that kind of thing?

Ugh this is like the harsh reality of war we don't really talk about enough... i mean yeah ppl think its all about patriotism and bravery but what about the mental health struggles they deal wth? it's like they're just expected to soldier on no matter what, and if they can't cope they're seen as weak . i feel bad for akula, his story is heartbreaking... we should be supporting these soldiers more not just with guns but with actual mental health resources . it's like we wanna honor their service but we don't wanna deal wth the aftermath

it's crazy how we romanticize war and the people who fight in it, don't you think? like, we're always talking about their bravery and sacrifice, but what about the real cost? Akula's story is a harsh reminder that even if they're fighting for a cause they believe in, the mental health toll can be devastating. it's not just about winning or losing, it's about living with the weight of trauma and loss every day and as he said, "I wish I could go back to normal life"... but what is normal, anyway? is it even possible to go back after experiencing the things they have?

I feel so bad for this guy Akula, he's going through a lot of pain and I can only imagine how scary it must've been for him on the front lines . The fact that he had to go without food for days is just heartbreaking . And to think that he witnessed comrades fall and lost friends... that's gotta be some heavy stuff to deal with . We need to be more supportive of these soldiers, you know? They're not just fighting for their country, they're human beings too . It's like, we see the bravery and patriotism, but what about the mental health struggles? We need to talk more about that .

I feel bad for this guy Akula... like, seriously can't imagine what it's like to have to deal with all that fear and uncertainty on a daily basis . And the worst part is, people are always talking about the bravery of soldiers but nobody really thinks about how they're actually feeling inside. It's like, yeah we get it, you're fighting for your country, but what about when you have to sleep with guns at night and wonder if tomorrow is gonna be the last day? I wish there was more support for people like Akula... mental health stuff can't be just something that happens to someone else, you know?

War's a harsh mistress ... leaves you shattered, even after it ends