Finnish volunteer finds return from Ukraine more terrifying than combat

Jarno, a 23-year-old who volunteered to fight in Ukraine, is now grappling with the difficult process of reintegrating into life back home in Finland. His experiences on the front lines have left him with deep psychological scars, making the transition back to a peaceful environment a significant challenge.

The first night back was the most harrowing for Jarno. Sitting in the quiet twilight of late summer, his heart pounded uncontrollably. A sense of panic surged through him, his body remaining on high alert for dangers that no longer existed in his surroundings. His mind was still in southern Ukraine, on the battlefield.

Despite having faced the direct dangers of war, Jarno found his return to Finland to be more terrifying than his time in combat. The constant vigilance and readiness for conflict he maintained while fighting have made it difficult for him to switch off. The absence of immediate threats in Finland paradoxically amplifies his anxiety, as his mind struggles to reconcile the reality of safety with the ingrained responses of a soldier.