For many, serving in a foreign war is a defining experience, one that leaves an indelible mark on their lives. For 19-year-old Akula, from Ukraine, however, the horrors of war were all too real - and the memories still haunt him.
When the Russian invasion began, Akula felt an overwhelming sense of duty to join the fight, despite his youth and inexperience. What followed was a grueling experience on the front lines, where he faced unimaginable conditions: frigid temperatures that threatened to freeze him solid, hunger that gnawed at his belly, and loneliness that seemed to have no end.
The trauma of war has left its scars on Akula's mental health. "It's scary, cold, hungry and lonely," he recalled in an emotional interview with CNN. His voice trembled as he described the countless nights spent huddled in trenches, waiting for the dawn of a new day - or at least, hoping that it would never come.
Akula spoke candidly about his experiences, revealing the struggles he faced on a daily basis. "Sometimes we'd be on edge all night, thinking if there's going to be an attack," he said, his eyes clouding over with emotion. "And when there was silence, it felt even more intense."
For those who don't know him, Akula may seem like just another soldier - but the reality is far from it. Behind the bravado and discipline lies a young man struggling to cope with the weight of his experiences.
Despite the difficulties he's faced, Akula remains resolute in his commitment to Ukraine and its people. "I want to protect my country," he said firmly, looking straight into the camera. But as he spoke, it was clear that the war had taken a toll on his mental health - leaving him feeling lost and disconnected from the world around him.
As the conflict rages on, Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. It's a stark contrast to the propaganda and bravado that often accompany such conflicts - and a sobering reflection of the devastating impact it can have on those caught in its midst.
When the Russian invasion began, Akula felt an overwhelming sense of duty to join the fight, despite his youth and inexperience. What followed was a grueling experience on the front lines, where he faced unimaginable conditions: frigid temperatures that threatened to freeze him solid, hunger that gnawed at his belly, and loneliness that seemed to have no end.
The trauma of war has left its scars on Akula's mental health. "It's scary, cold, hungry and lonely," he recalled in an emotional interview with CNN. His voice trembled as he described the countless nights spent huddled in trenches, waiting for the dawn of a new day - or at least, hoping that it would never come.
Akula spoke candidly about his experiences, revealing the struggles he faced on a daily basis. "Sometimes we'd be on edge all night, thinking if there's going to be an attack," he said, his eyes clouding over with emotion. "And when there was silence, it felt even more intense."
For those who don't know him, Akula may seem like just another soldier - but the reality is far from it. Behind the bravado and discipline lies a young man struggling to cope with the weight of his experiences.
Despite the difficulties he's faced, Akula remains resolute in his commitment to Ukraine and its people. "I want to protect my country," he said firmly, looking straight into the camera. But as he spoke, it was clear that the war had taken a toll on his mental health - leaving him feeling lost and disconnected from the world around him.
As the conflict rages on, Akula's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. It's a stark contrast to the propaganda and bravado that often accompany such conflicts - and a sobering reflection of the devastating impact it can have on those caught in its midst.
I'm not surprised by Akula's story at all, honestly. I mean, how many people can we expect to come out unscathed from this whole mess? The fact that he felt a sense of duty to join the fight is just another example of the desperation and fear that drives people in these situations. And those conditions on the front lines? Yeah, that's not surprising at all. It's like they expected him to be made of ice or something.
I mean, what's up with these new wars? Can't we all just get along? 
The thing is, I've been following this whole Russian invasion thing for ages... like back when Putin was still a president of Russia. Do you guys remember that? And now, Ukraine is in the middle of it and people are losing their lives left and right 
It's not like they're fighting for power or anything... I think. Anyway, it's all pretty sad when you think about it.
Akula's story is a harsh reality check for us all, reminding us that war isn't just about grand battles & patriotic slogans, but about ordinary people like him who're forced to live through unimaginable horrors 
. The world needs to acknowledge the devastating impact of war on civilians, not just soldiers 
.
his bravery is admirable but we gotta remember that soldiers like him are human beings too & need help & support 
it's crazy to think that even tho he's young, war has already left its mark on him 
, 19 yrs old and already dealing with trauma n mental health issues from war... u think anyone is prepared for that? 
he's just a soldier trying to do his part but the gov & ppl back home r all about "bravado" n "propaganda"... meanwhile akula's just trying to survive n cope with what's happening 2 him 
Still, I gotta respect Akula's commitment to Ukraine, even if he is struggling a bit with the trauma of it all...
what's with all these war stories? 19 yrs old akula is just another cog in the machine, right? like we're supposed to feel bad for him or something 
hunger and loneliness are nothing new, fam. soldiers deal with it all the time 
don't get me wrong, war is messed up, but let's not forget about the bigger picture 
. We need to do more to ensure our kids are protected and supported during conflicts, not just in the short term but also in the long term when they're trying to rebuild their lives 
.
. I mean, can't we find other ways to support our countries' interests? It's not like they're all going to be brave soldiers who'll put their lives on the line without a second thought 
. No, they're just expected to become soldiers again, like nothing ever happened 
.
.
It's not just physical stuff, it's mental too... like, how do you deal with feeling alone and on edge all the time when there's a chance of getting attacked? 
.
. We need more stories like this to help raise awareness about the human cost of conflict 
.