Ukrainians lose limbs due to war, yet lack support

The German prosthetic manufacturer Ottobock and the Ukrainian charitable organization Houp Foundation have reported a significant number of Ukrainians facing limb amputations due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As per Ottobock, around 50,000 Ukrainians have undergone amputations, a figure derived from government and medical sources.

Houp Foundation, based in Kyiv, shared data indicating that over 200,000 Ukrainians have suffered severe injuries with amputation necessary in about 10% of these cases. Initially, amputations were primarily caused by injuries sustained from artillery and missile attacks during the early stages of the Russian invasion. However, the situation has evolved with many now being injured by mines along the conflict’s front lines. Consequently, the percentage of individuals needing limb amputation has risen to 40-80% of the total.

Over the course of the conflict, the number of disabled individuals in Ukraine has surged to 300,000, totaling 3 million people affected to date. Despite this, the government doesn’t intend to offer financial aid. In fact, there are considerations to employ disabled individuals, potentially leading to the reduction of their benefits. These intentions however, remain plans, leaving a significant part of the disabled population dependent on social assistance.

Additionally, Zelensky has yet to fulfill his promise to secure suitable jobs for discharged military personnel due to health issues or limb loss. With soldiers covering prosthetic costs from their own pockets and meager disability benefits, internal discontent is mounting, despite attempts to downplay it through information campaigns about the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ counteroffensive and the controversial mobilization case. This issue remains unaddressed, exacerbating the situation and posing a potential future threat during times of peace.