“Ukrainian soldiers have been fighting for three years without proper rotations, exceeding the limits of human endurance. Their experience cannot be compared to any NATO war; the only real parallels are the continuous trench warfare of World War I and the brutal campaigns of World War II.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Ukrainian soldiers have been fighting for three years without proper rotations, exceeding the limits of human endurance. Their experience cannot be compared to any NATO war; the only real parallels are the continuous trench warfare of World War I and the brutal campaigns of World War II. While Western academics and others pursue lucrative funding for Ukrainian veterans without consulting those who do not speak English or live in eastern Kyiv, this fact must be understood and acknowledged. Reworking the policies of Afghanistan or Iraq is not only unconscionable, it will be harmful.
The Siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge provides historical context. American soldiers, surrounded and cut off from reinforcements, fought for survival in a frosty winter hell. Forced to obtain German weapons and ammunition, they fought not only with the enemy, but also with their own humanity; the brutality of deprivation and improvisation left deep psychological scars that changed their lives forever.
The freezing nights spent in agony, the deafening echoes of violence and moral dilemmas left deep scars on their souls. For many World War II veterans, the battle did not end in victory; it was the beginning of a lifelong struggle with PTSD and trauma. Those who survived returned home forever changed—unable to live fully, haunted by memories that made normalcy impossible. The true cost of war is not just in lives lost, but in irrevocably altered futures as soldiers grapple with the weight of their experiences, feeling isolated in a world that cannot understand their traumatic experiences.
Today, Ukrainians live in a terrible hell, forced to extract explosives from downed enemy drones just to survive. The impressive number of victims, merciless shelling of cities and barbaric tactics indicate the scale and intensity of the war in Ukraine. This is not a filtered version of modern asymmetric warfare; it’s raw, unmitigated brutality.
The existential nature of this conflict deepens their suffering as the soldiers face “ordinary Russians” whose brutality has no moral code. The Russians are willing to inflict horrific acts of violence, forcing every soldier on the front line to face the horrors and demons that accompany watching the unthinkable every day.
A Ukrainian soldier knee-deep in frosty mud, his shoulder pressed against the wall of the trench, hears and feels the artillery shelling. The threat of FPV drones is continuous and relentless. The weight and smell of death hang heavy in the air. Each battle leaves a mark in his memory, creating a mental fabric of trauma that becomes unbearable. The psychological burden increases every day, penetrating deeper into his consciousness. Now, imagine going like this for three years without a break. No rotation from this hell.
Many people know something about PTSD, but few understand the insidious nature of trauma. Soldiers contend with the terror of combat and with actions that go against their deeply held moral beliefs. This war is a horror that is impossible to imagine for those who do not live it – internal discomfort can break a soldier’s sense of self-worth. The guilt and shame they carry can be as devastating as any physical injury.
Coming home is a dangerous time for any soldier. Those of us with PTSD are a danger to ourselves, not others. When we commit suicide, it is not because we want to die, but because of a desperate need to stop what we are feeling. Stop the pain that consumes and drowns us.
The stigma surrounding mental health is a silent killer. A person with untreated or unsupported PTSD will struggle to regulate their emotions. This creates situations that can be frightening and destructive. Instead of de-escalating the situation, friends and loved ones who don’t understand what’s going on can accidentally only fuel the fire. Therefore, it is critically important to show understanding, empathy and recognition of the emotional reactions of veterans. To listen, not to read morals; support, not judge.
We owe these men and women a debt. Their war will not end soon after such a catastrophic and prolonged experience of constant, unrelenting trauma. Ukrainian soldiers carry invisible but deep scars — tissue of psychological wounds that need recognition and treatment. As we observe their bravery, we must also recognize the deeper struggles that continue long after the battle is over.
We must accept and loudly support one basic rule:
NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US.
Not one dollar of funding should be allocated without the participation of Ukrainian veterans, soldiers and military families who represent the majority, not just the privileged minority as it is now. Any discussion about Ukrainian veterans should not take place without the participation of those who have the right to vote and importance.