Ukrainian soldiers have fought for three years without proper rotations, pushing the limits of human endurance. Their experiences cannot be compared to any NATO war; the only real parallels are the relentless trench warfare of World War I and the brutal campaigns of World War II. As the feeding frenzy escalates, with Western academics and others chasing lucrative Ukrainian veteran funding without consulting those who don’t speak English or are east of Kyiv, this fact must be understood and acknowledged. Rehashing Afghanistan or Iraq policies is not only dishonest but will also cause harm.

The Siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge provides a historical context. American soldiers encircled and cut off from reinforcements, fought for survival in a freezing winter hell. Forced to scavenge German weapons and ammunition, they wrestled with their own humanity amidst the chaos; the brutality of deprivation and improvisation left deep psychological imprints that would alter their lives forever.

The freezing nights spent in anguish, the haunting echoes of violence, and the moral dilemmas faced left deep scars on their souls. For many WWII veterans, the battle didn’t end with victory; it marked the beginning of a lifelong struggle against PTSD and moral injury. Those who survived returned home forever changed – stripped of the ability to live full lives, haunted by memories that rendered normalcy impossible. The true cost of war lies not just in lives lost but in irrevocably altered futures as soldiers grapple with the weight of their experiences, often feeling isolated in a world that cannot comprehend their trauma.

Today, Ukrainians are living in a nightmarish hell, forced to salvage explosives from downed enemy drones just to survive. Staggering casualties, relentless city sieges, and barbaric tactics mark the scale and intensity of the war in Ukraine. This is not the sanitized version of modern asymmetric warfare; this is raw, unfettered brutality.

The existential nature of this conflict deepens their agony as soldiers confront "ordinary Russians," whose savagery knows no moral code. Russians are willing to inflict horrific acts of violence, forcing every soldier on the front to face daily atrocities and the demons that accompany witnessing the unimaginable.

A Ukrainian soldier knee-deep in mud, shoulder pressed against the trench wall, hears and feels the barrage of artillery fire. The threat of FPV drones is constant and unrelenting. The weight and smell of death hang heavily in the air. Each battle fought is etched into his memory, creating a mental tapestry of trauma that becomes unbearable. The psychological toll amplifies with each passing day, biting deeper into his psyche. Now, do this for three years without a break. Without a rotation out of hell.

Most people are somewhat aware of PTSD, but few understand the insidious nature of moral injury. Soldiers grapple with the terror of combat and actions that break a deeply held moral belief. This war is a horror that is unimaginable for any who are not living it –  the resulting inner turmoil can shatter a soldier’s sense of self. The guilt and shame they carry can be as damaging as any physical injury.

Returning home is a dangerous time for any soldier. Those of us with PTSD are a danger to ourselves, not others. When we die by suicide, it is not because we want to die. It is a desperate need to stop feeling. Stop the pain that consumes and drowns us. 

The stigma that surrounds mental health is a silent killer. A person with untreated or unsupported PTSD will struggle to regulate emotions. This will create situations that can be terrifying and devastatingly destructive. Instead of de-escalating situations, friends and loved ones who do not understand what is happening will inadvertently inflame them. Therefore, understanding, empathy, and acknowledging a veteran’s emotional responses are critical. Listening – not lecturing; supporting – not judging.

We owe these men and women a debt. Their war will never be over following such a catastrophic and prolonged experience of constant, unrelenting trauma. Ukrainian soldiers bear invisible yet profound scars – a tapestry of psychological wounds that need acknowledgment and healing. As we witness their bravery, we must also recognize the deeper struggles that persist long after the battle ends.

We need to adopt and loudly uphold one fundamental rule:

NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US.

No dollar of funding should be allocated without input from Ukrainian veterans, soldiers, and military families representing the majority, not just the privileged minority, as is currently the case. Any discussion about Ukrainian veterans must not take place without Ukrainian veterans holding a position of empowerment and a voice that carries weight.

The sacrifices made by Ukrainian soldiers will bring them to the brink of the toxic suicide mix of hopelessness and helplessness. We can, and we must be there to catch them. With understanding and support, they will recover and regain their lives. They deserve our unwavering commitment to honor their struggle on and off the battlefield.