A young British volunteer soldier, identified as Akula, recounts his harrowing experiences on the front line in Ukraine, which have left him struggling with PTSD.
Akula, 21, enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion last year, but now finds himself grappling with the emotional aftermath. The former student spoke candidly to CNN about life under fire and the devastating impact it has taken on his mental wellbeing.
The harsh conditions he endured in Ukraine were described as "scary", with temperatures plummeting to below freezing at night. The constant threat of violence took a significant toll, leaving Akula feeling cold, hungry, and isolated – a state of mind that continues to affect him even now.
Akula's experiences have left him struggling with symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks and anxiety attacks. He describes the sounds of gunfire and explosions as still echoing in his mind, while sleepless nights are a recurring nightmare.
As he reflects on his time serving, Akula acknowledges that signing up for the war was a decision made impulsively, driven by a sense of patriotism and desire to do something meaningful. However, the reality of being a frontline soldier proved far more daunting than he anticipated.
Since returning home, Akula's family has been a source of comfort, but even they struggle to understand the depth of his trauma. As he seeks support from mental health services, he emphasizes the importance of speaking openly about his experiences, in the hopes that others may find the courage to do so as well.
"It's not just about us soldiers," Akula says. "It's about raising awareness and making sure that people know what we're going through, because if they don't, it can be really hard to get help."
Akula, 21, enlisted at the start of Russia's invasion last year, but now finds himself grappling with the emotional aftermath. The former student spoke candidly to CNN about life under fire and the devastating impact it has taken on his mental wellbeing.
The harsh conditions he endured in Ukraine were described as "scary", with temperatures plummeting to below freezing at night. The constant threat of violence took a significant toll, leaving Akula feeling cold, hungry, and isolated – a state of mind that continues to affect him even now.
Akula's experiences have left him struggling with symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks and anxiety attacks. He describes the sounds of gunfire and explosions as still echoing in his mind, while sleepless nights are a recurring nightmare.
As he reflects on his time serving, Akula acknowledges that signing up for the war was a decision made impulsively, driven by a sense of patriotism and desire to do something meaningful. However, the reality of being a frontline soldier proved far more daunting than he anticipated.
Since returning home, Akula's family has been a source of comfort, but even they struggle to understand the depth of his trauma. As he seeks support from mental health services, he emphasizes the importance of speaking openly about his experiences, in the hopes that others may find the courage to do so as well.
"It's not just about us soldiers," Akula says. "It's about raising awareness and making sure that people know what we're going through, because if they don't, it can be really hard to get help."
. But seriously, it's crazy to think that those harsh conditions can leave you feeling cold, hungry, and isolated even after coming home – like, your brain is still stuck in Ukraine mode? That's some serious stuff right there.
). And honestly, who can blame him for wanting to raise awareness and help others? It's like, we need more people having these kinds of conversations, you feel?
). And btw, if anyone needs me, I'll be over here making dad jokes about war... 
his story is a harsh reminder of the human cost of war and how it affects not just soldiers but their loved ones too 
it's so important that he's speaking out and trying to raise awareness about PTSD - it's not something you can just 'get over' or 'toughen up' 
we need more voices like akula sharing their stories to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues 
I don't think we really understand what it's like to go through that kind of trauma unless we've been through it ourselves, you know? And even then, it's hard to put into words... like, the sounds of gunfire and explosions are still with him, literally, and that's just heartbreaking 
.
it's not just about him, but also about helping others feel less alone in dealing with trauma 