In brief
Thousands of returning Russian veterans are grappling with life-altering injuries and PTSD after their time in Ukraine. The struggle for rehabilitation and acceptance in society is tough, as these heroes deal with both visible and hidden wounds.
In the chaos of the ongoing war in Ukraine, many Russian soldiers are returning home bearing the scars—both visible and invisible—of their service. Soldiers like 38-year-old Aleksandr, who lost his leg to a mine, are now faced with the harsh reality of rehabilitation in a country still grappling with the impacts of sanctions and societal stigma.Aleksandr's story is not unique. According to sources, around 300,000 veterans have returned with severe injuries, a number growing increasingly difficult to verify due to government restrictions on reporting these statistics. The pain of physical injuries is compounded by the emotional toll of PTSD, leaving families to navigate the complexities of caring for their returning loved ones.In a sanitarium outside Moscow, veterans like Dima receive treatment to recover from their physical wounds, while the mental healing often lags behind. The struggle to reintegrate into a society that seems oblivious to their sacrifices weighs heavily on them. As these soldiers learn to adapt to their new realities, the journey towards acceptance and healing remains a long and challenging road.
