We continue our series of “Heroes Among Us” articles, where we share the stories of people who, without hesitation, went to the front to defend Ukraine from the aggressor. This time, we will tell you about Kostiantyn Patalakh, who currently holds the position of a power engineer at Khortytsia branch.

Kostiantyn volunteered for the army immediately after the beginning of the full-scale war, becoming a deputy platoon commander. He served in the 110th Territorial Defense Brigade, 116th Battalion, 2nd Company. Six months before his discharge, he was transferred to the Technical Company. Kostiantyn took part in combat operations in various areas, including the Vremivka direction, Sumy, Kurakhove, and Kupiansk. He continued serving until his health forced him to leave. However, even after his discharge, he did not stop and immediately returned to work.

Returning to Work

Returning to his civilian job, Kostiantyn did not feel the need for adaptation, as he was already familiar with the tasks.

“I returned to almost the same duties I had before the war,” says Kostiantyn. “There was a period when I substituted for the chief power engineer, so I am well-acquainted with all the processes, and I already had experience working with the equipment. Therefore, I did not have to adapt to the new conditions. There were also no problems with the team. Almost every colleague here has known me for a long time. We had worked together before the war started. Therefore, there are no communication or interaction barriers. It feels like home.”

Despite being familiar with the working environment, some changes in the company structure still required his attention. The company underwent reorganization, and management approaches were changed. This required Kostiantyn to grasp new nuances in his work, learn new processes, and adapt to the new conditions. While the external adaptation process was not as difficult as the internal changes within the company itself, it was still necessary to find his place in the updated structure.

Adaptation to Civilian Life: Advice for Veterans and Those Who Support Them

Communicating with veterans is an important aspect of support and rehabilitation after a difficult experience. However, communication can be challenging, as veterans often experience deep psychological trauma and emotional distress related to the war. Knowing this from his own experience, Kostiantyn shared valuable advice on communicating with veterans without causing them unnecessary pain. His knowledge and understanding of how to provide proper support are the key to building effective communication with those who have war-related experience.

“It is hard to give general advice,” he says, “because each person reacts to the same situations in their own way, and their experiences can be very different. But I can say that you should not ask questions about the war. If a person wants to share, they will. Such questions can trigger negative emotions, stress, or even traumatic memories. Therefore, it is important to give a person the opportunity to share what they are ready to share.”

Veterans returning from the front face not only physical challenges but also deep emotional trauma that can have a lasting impact on their lives. Returning to civilian life is a complex process that requires time and effort.

“You must realize that you are no longer on the front. It is crucial to understand that civilian life is completely different. There is no clearly defined enemy, but there are people who have diverse opinions and viewpoints. On the battlefield, things were simpler; it was you and your enemy, and everything was clear. In the civilian world, you need to take into account the diversity of people, learn to communicate with them, and respect other opinions. It is necessary to return to a normal rhythm of life, adapt, and live in harmony with those around you,” Kostiantyn says.

His words are an important reminder for both those returning from the war and for those who support them. It is essential to remember that even after trials on the battlefield, adapting to civilian life is a challenging and significant process that requires support, patience, and empathy from those around them.

Read the first publication from the “Heroes Among Us” series at the link.