Many Ukrainian prisoners of war show signs of trauma and sexual violence
The Ukrainian marine infantryman endured nine months of physical and psychological torture as a Russian prisoner of war, but was given only three months of rest and rehabilitation before being sent back to his unit.The infantryman, who asked to be identified only by his call sign, Smiley, willingly returned to duty. But it was only when he underwent intense combat training in the following weeks that the depth and extent of his wounds, both psychological and physical, began to emerge.“I started having flashbacks and nightmares,” he said. "I only slept two hours and woke up with my sleeping bag soaking wet." He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and referred for psychological treatment, and he is still receiving treatment.Ukraine is just beginning to understand the las...