Amputations in Ukraine reach scale of World War I

Tens of thousands estimated to have lost limbs since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine, a toll not seen in recent armed conflicts in the West, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Between 20,000 and 50,000 Ukrainians have lost one or more limbs since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022, the WSJ writes referring to the Ukrainian charity Hope Foundation and the German prosthesis manufacturer Ottobock.

The Kyiv-based Hope Foundation reported that 200,000 Ukrainians were seriously injured, with amputations occurring in 10% of cases.

The data on 50,000 is based on information from the government and medical institutions, although the actual figure may be higher, as it takes time to register patients after they undergo the procedure.

It is noted that at the beginning of the war, the main causes of amputations were injuries sustained during artillery and rocket attacks. Now, many are injured by landmines laid along the front line.

The high number of amputations reflects the brutal nature of the war, with heavy use of mines and artillery, missile and drone attacks targeting soldiers and civilians alike.

The main challenge is not producing enough artificial limbs, but having expert staff to care for amputees, each of whom needs a tailor-made prosthetic. Civilians often struggle to afford treatment, and many patients must rely on charities to obtain prostheses.

Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had several thousand amputations annually, but its healthcare system is now overwhelmed. Many patients are waiting more than a year for a new limb, and young children among the amputees are particularly difficult to care for as they must change several prostheses by the time they become adults.