Former Ukrainian POWs climb to heal the trauma of Russia’s war | DW Reporter

Key Concepts

• Trauma Healing: The program focuses on addressing the psychological and emotional wounds of war, particularly those experienced by former prisoners of war (POWs) and their families.
• Mountaineering as Therapy: Climbing mountains is utilized as a therapeutic tool, promoting mindfulness, presence, and a sense of accomplishment.
• Veteran Support Network: The initiative is driven by a community of veterans and volunteers who understand the unique challenges faced by those who have experienced conflict.
• Family Reintegration: A significant aspect of the program is helping returning soldiers reconnect with their families, who have also endured hardship and separation.
• Moral Injury: The concept of moral injury, experienced by veterans of wars they believe should not have been fought, is addressed through mutual support and acknowledgment.
• Mindfulness and Presence: Mountaineering is presented as a practice that helps individuals detach from past traumas and present anxieties by focusing on the immediate physical experience.

Mountain Seed Foundation Retreat for Ukrainian Veterans

This summary details a week-long retreat in the Austrian Alps organized by the Mountain Seed Foundation, a nonprofit composed of US and European military veterans. The program aims to provide healing and support for 14 Ukrainian former prisoners of war (POWs) and their families, who have endured significant trauma due to the ongoing conflict.

The Participants and Their Experiences

The Ukrainian veterans have spent between three months and three years in Russian captivity. They are all husbands and fathers whose families have been deeply affected by the war.

• Victor Ishenko (Khakiv Oblast): A civilian who volunteered after the 2022 full-scale invasion. He was mobilized in April 2022, reached the front lines in Lansk or blast by early May, and was captured by the end of June. He was wounded in his lower leg during an artillery assault when his unit was encircled. While attempting to retreat, his wounds prevented him from escaping the encirclement, leading to his capture.

  • Captivity Experience: Victor described threats of execution, with captors pointing guns at him, cycling the safety catch, and firing near his head or into the air. Despite these threats, he maintained a strong belief in returning home, fueled by the certainty that his loved ones were safe. He felt his release would come unexpectedly. He was informed of his release while sleeping, initially fearing a transfer to another prison. The transfer involved beatings and continued threats. The journey lasted nearly 24 hours.
  • Reunion: Victor's wife was aware of an impending prisoner exchange. He had his wife's phone number memorized. He was particularly concerned his daughter, who was only two years old at the time of his capture, would not recognize him. The reunion was described as an unforgettable, happy moment.

• Bogdan: A veteran who spent several months in captivity after weeks of desperate fighting at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol in 2022. His unit received orders from Kyiv to surrender. He described his captivity experience as dehumanizing, stating that prisoners were not considered human beings.

  • Emotional Recovery: Bogdan noted that his feelings did not return immediately and that regaining them is an ongoing process that can take months or even years, both physically and emotionally. He estimates he is currently about 90% back to his former self. He shared a story of his gradual return to smiling, which began three days after his release and continued day by day.

The Role of the Mountain Seed Foundation

The Mountain Seed Foundation, comprised of veterans, organizes these retreats. Organizers express a strong affinity for the Ukrainian cause and many have personal experiences with conflict-related trauma.

• Motivation for Organizing: Organizers feel a calling to the mountains, viewing them as places of healing and challenge. They believe it's crucial for Ukrainian veterans to see that other warriors acknowledge their suffering. They highlight the profound cruelty of the aggressor, which they feel is not fully understood in many Western countries. Supporting veterans is seen as a way to give back and acknowledge the justice of Ukraine's fight. It also serves as a means for the organizers to heal from "moral injury" sustained in wars they believe were unnecessary.

Mountaineering as a Therapeutic Tool

The program incorporates mountaineering lessons as a core component of the healing process.

• Nathan's Perspective: Nathan, one of the organizers, finds significant healing in the mountains. He describes climbing as a mindfulness exercise where other concerns fade away. The focus shifts to the immediate challenge of survival, fostering presence and grounding. He believes this offers a unique therapeutic value not found in other sports.

Family Therapy and Reintegration

The retreat is designed for the entire families of the veterans, recognizing the severe toll the war has taken on wives and children.

• The Challenge of Reintegration: Clinical psychologist Dr. Amit Oruren, who authored the therapy program, explains that wives often bear the brunt of the war's aftermath silently. While they are overjoyed at their husband's return, they often find themselves with a stranger. There can be shame in expressing difficulties or complaints when societal expectations demand only delight. The therapy aims to help families "envelop and accept this stranger back into the fold."
• Natalia's Experience: Natalia's husband, Bogdan, lost his ability to smile and all feelings during captivity. He struggled to reconnect with his family, who had been eagerly awaiting his return.

Program Structure and Goals

The week-long retreat combines mountaineering with therapeutic sessions.

• Focus on Strengths: The therapy team, though limited by time, aims to cultivate positive psychological habits. This involves encouraging guests to recognize and nurture their strengths, focusing on pride and joy.
• Achievements as Reinforcement: Daily achievements in mountaineering, such as scaling a 100-meter dam, serve to reinforce these positive psychological habits. Some challenges are undertaken collaboratively by families.

Personal Stories of Resilience and Support

The transcript includes poignant personal anecdotes illustrating the program's impact.

• Victor's Daughter, Sophia: Victor recounts a moment before he joined the army in 2022. His then two-year-old daughter, Sophia, told him, "Father, be careful." These words became his salvation during moments of disorientation, loss, or danger. He expresses deep gratitude for everyone's support of Sophia, calling her his "little guardian angel."
• Sophia's Courage: Sophia, now five years old, volunteered to speak at the retreat. She recounted her own fear of climbing and how her father's words, "Be careful. We want you with us. We will help you get through it," helped her overcome her fear. This mirrors the words she had spoken to her father.
• Family Unity: The story concludes with a father embracing his daughter, leaning against his wife, symbolizing their wholeness and the program's success in helping them become a complete family again.

Conclusion

The Mountain Seed Foundation's retreat in the Alps offers a unique and powerful approach to healing for Ukrainian former POWs and their families. By combining the physical challenge and mindfulness of mountaineering with targeted psychological therapy, the program facilitates the rebuilding of shattered lives and fractured family relationships. The support of fellow veterans underscores the profound impact of shared experience and mutual understanding in overcoming the deep scars of war.