The article shares a personal account of a media coordinator from Amnesty International Ukraine, who joined the Ukrainian army as a response to the guilt she felt during the Euromaidan protests. The author describes the atrocities observed during the protests when young protesters were shot at for standing up for freedom, leaving her with a sense of responsibility to take action rather than remaining a passive observer. In 2014, she resignation from her previous job, motivated by her conviction that mere words were not enough amidst the violence and loss of life among adolescents fighting for liberty.

She served for three years on the frontlines, an experience that deeply affected her both physically and psychologically. The author notes that the scars from the war have followed her home, leading to lasting trauma that she continues to grapple with. In a discussion with her therapist, what was identified as anxiety or PTSD felt more to her like an ominous prediction, signifying her enduring connection to the conflict as she imagines violence looming over her country.

This article illustrates not only the personal struggle and sacrifices made by individuals during wartime but also highlights the broader implications of the war in Ukraine on the psyche of those who are directly involved. It underscores how the echoes of conflict resonate in the lives of soldiers even after they return home, revealing the profound emotional and psychological consequences of war that are often overlooked in discussions about military service.