Ukraine war: Soldiers struggle to cope after years of fighting

Key Concepts

• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms include reliving trauma, distress, social avoidance, and erratic behavior.
• Combat Trauma: The psychological and emotional impact of experiencing warfare.
• Phantom Pain: A sensation of pain in a limb that has been amputated.
• Triggers: Stimuli that evoke a traumatic memory or emotional response.
• Friend or Foe Mechanism: A survival instinct developed in combat that can persist after returning home, leading to hypervigilance and aggression.
• Fight or Flight Reaction: An automatic physiological response to perceived threats.
• Reintegration: The process of adapting back to civilian life after military service.

Nikolai's Experience: A Former Soldier's Struggle

Nikolai, a former Russian police officer, volunteered to fight in Ukraine in September 2023. Four months later, he lost his left arm in a mortar strike, ending his combat service. He describes the psychological impact of his injuries, including severe burns to his face and the phantom pain in his missing arm. Initially, his daughter perceived him as a stranger due to his appearance, but eventually accepted him.

Challenges of Return: Nikolai found it difficult to cope with reminders of war, stating, "Like the phantom pain in his missing arm." He explains that sounds like a chainsaw can trigger memories of drone attacks, leading to an instinct to hide. It took him nearly two years to overcome this reaction. He declined therapy, preferring to speak with fellow veterans who could understand his experiences.

The Broader Impact: Veterans and PTSD in Russia

Nikolai's account is not isolated. Hundreds of men in his city have returned from the war in Ukraine, and those who experienced active combat often exhibit symptoms of PTSD.

Manifestations of PTSD:

• Reliving Trauma: Experiencing flashbacks or nightmares of war events.
• Clinical Levels of Distress: Significant emotional suffering and anxiety.
• Social Avoidance: Withdrawing from social interactions.
• Erratic Violent Behavior: Unpredictable and aggressive actions.

Documented Cases of Violence: The transcript highlights documented instances of former soldiers exhibiting aggression:

• A man threatening a postal worker over a crumpled piece of paper.
• A man attacking women outside a cafe, believing they were discussing him.
• Teenagers attacking two men who claimed to have fought in Ukraine during a verbal dispute.

Psychological Overload and Danger: The text explains that the psyche is in a state of overload during war, which persists upon return. This can lead to:

1. Danger to Self: Veterans may face guilt and suicidal ideation.
2. Danger to Families: The "friend or foe mechanism" remains active, leading to hypervigilance and potential aggression towards loved ones.
3. Heightened Sense of Injustice: This can trigger a fight or flight reaction in everyday situations.

Sergey's Journey: Finding Solace in Art

Sergey, a theater director, was mobilized for nine months in Ukraine. Upon his return, he suffered severe psychological distress, with his wife finding him hiding under the bed at night. He describes being haunted by his experiences for four months.

The Role of Theater in Recovery: A friend encouraged Sergey to join a children's theater. Initially hesitant due to his perceived aggression, he was convinced to attend a rehearsal. Meeting the children had a profound impact, and his wife noted that he smiled for the first time since his return. Sergey's work in theater helped him "come back to life."

Conclusion: The Ongoing Need for Recovery

The war in Ukraine is in its fourth year, and as it continues, more soldiers will return as "changed men." The transcript emphasizes the critical need for recovery and support for these veterans to help them reintegrate into civilian life and begin new chapters, assuming they are fortunate enough to return at all.

Attribution: The report is attributed to Dimmitri Medvenko for Al Jazeera, Central Russia.