Ukrainian Volunteer Soldier Opens Up About PTSD and Frontline Trauma

In an April 2023 interview with CNN's David McKenzie, Ukrainian volunteer soldier Akula shared a raw account of his mental health struggles following combat on the front lines since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Akula described the daily reality of war as 'scary, cold, hungry and lonely,' revealing how constant shelling, loss of comrades, and the stress of frontline duty have left him with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The interview highlighted the growing mental health crisis among Ukrainian troops, as the war enters its second year with no clear end in sight. McKenzie's report underscored the psychological toll of the conflict beyond physical casualties, as soldiers like Akula face long-term mental health challenges even while continuing to serve.