Ukraine soldiers battle drug addiction as war trauma deepens, authorities lag in response

Soldiers on both sides of the Ukraine war are using drugs to manage combat-related pain, fatigue, fear, and psychological stress, with reports indicating widespread self-medication across front-line units. As the conflict extends into its fourth year, addiction has become a growing but largely unaddressed public health crisis. Ukrainian and Russian military authorities are only beginning to implement treatment programs, leaving thousands of combatants vulnerable to dependency. The scale of the problem remains difficult to quantify, but mental health experts warn that untreated trauma and substance abuse will create long-term challenges for post-war recovery and veteran reintegration.