Ukraine soldiers battle addiction amid Russia war trauma crisis

Published: 19 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a quiet rehabilitation facility tucked inside Kyiv, Ukrainian soldiers recovering from addiction speak in low voices about battles that did not end on the frontlines. For many, the war against Russia is only one part of their struggle. The other, more personal and often hidden conflict is against addiction, trauma, and psychological wounds that continue to intensify long after the gunfire stops.

One such soldier, Oleksandr, recalls a life that once seemed to have escaped the grip of substance dependence. Seven years clean, he believed he had overcome his past. But the war changed everything. After joining the military to defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, he sustained a shoulder injury that led to a prescription of painkillers. What began as medical treatment gradually spiraled into a relapse, eventually drawing him into stronger illicit opioids.

From his perspective, the battlefield extended far beyond the trenches. “From that moment, I was fighting two wars – one inside myself and one with Russia,” he said while speaking at a rehabilitation centre in Kyiv. His story reflects a growing but often underreported reality within Ukraine’s armed forces, where psychological trauma and substance abuse are increasingly intertwined.

As Ukraine’s conflict with Russia enters its fifth year, mental health professionals and military medical staff are raising concerns about the long-term psychological toll on soldiers. According to clinicians working in Kyiv, drug and alcohol misuse has become a coping mechanism for many troops dealing with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and exhaustion. However, exact figures remain unknown, as the Ukrainian military does not officially disclose statistics on addiction among active personnel.

At Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No 10, a specialised rehabilitation unit treats soldiers struggling with both addiction and psychological trauma. The facility, described as modest but structured, accommodates around 25 patients at a time, with treatment cycles lasting up to four months. Despite ongoing therapy, many patients eventually return to military service due to manpower shortages on the frontlines, a reality that highlights the difficult balance between recovery and wartime necessity.

Oleh Olishevskiy, who leads the addiction and trauma treatment programme at the hospital, explains that substance use among soldiers remains a sensitive and largely unspoken issue. “Everyone knows it exists, but few want to talk about it,” he said. Studies cited by his team suggest that a significant portion of soldiers have experimented with stimulants, prescription drugs, or synthetic substances, often in response to extreme stress or prolonged exposure to combat conditions.

Experts believe that addiction in war zones rarely exists in isolation. Instead, it is deeply connected to psychological trauma. Soldiers often begin using stimulants to remain alert during long missions, but the dependency frequently worsens when they are away from the front. During rest periods, many struggle with intrusive memories, anxiety, and insomnia, turning to substances or alcohol as a form of escape.

Another soldier, Dmytro, described how returning from combat zones left him unable to adjust to normal life. He explained that drugs were never used during active missions due to survival risks, but the psychological crash afterward was overwhelming. “When you’re back, you just want to switch off. Forget everything you’ve seen,” he said. His experience illustrates a pattern observed by medical staff, where substance use escalates during periods of relative calm rather than active combat.

Clinicians at the centre also highlight the accessibility of drugs as a contributing factor. According to patients and staff, synthetic stimulants and prescription medications are often obtained through informal networks or online channels. This availability, combined with untreated trauma, creates a cycle that is difficult to break.

The rehabilitation process itself follows a structured routine, including therapy sessions, physical activity, and group discussions. Yet even within the controlled environment, the war remains ever-present. Drawings and sketches made by patients often reflect scenes of battle, weapons, and frontline experiences, underscoring how deeply combat has affected their mental state.

Medical professionals working in the facility argue that addiction cannot be treated in isolation from psychological trauma. Olishevskiy notes that without proper treatment of PTSD, substance dependence is likely to recur. He also warns that delaying psychological care can worsen long-term outcomes, making recovery significantly more difficult.

Despite growing awareness, stigma remains a major barrier. Many soldiers hesitate to disclose their struggles due to fear of judgment or professional consequences. However, there are signs of gradual change within military leadership, with more commanders now willing to refer personnel for treatment rather than discipline them.

Still, the demand for mental health care far exceeds available resources. Ukraine’s healthcare system, already strained by years of conflict, faces challenges in providing sustained support for recovering soldiers. In some cases, individuals are returned to active duty before completing rehabilitation due to operational needs, raising concerns among medical professionals about relapse risks.

Some patients, however, express a strong desire to return to the battlefield even after treatment. For them, recovery is not necessarily about leaving the war behind, but about regaining control over their lives. One recovering soldier, Anton, said that despite suffering serious health complications linked to addiction, he still hopes to rejoin his unit. “This clinic gave me another chance at life. I want to give something back,” he said.

As the war continues, mental health experts warn that the psychological consequences will extend far beyond the battlefield. They argue that Ukraine will face a long-term public health challenge involving PTSD, addiction, and reintegration of veterans into civilian life. The true scale of the issue, they say, may only become fully visible after the conflict ends.

For now, in rehabilitation centres across Kyiv, soldiers continue to navigate both visible and invisible wounds. Their stories reflect a broader reality of modern warfare, where the fight does not always end when the guns fall silent.