Ukraine’s unbroken war amputees

UNBROKEN, the safe haven providing treatment, prosthesis, and rehabilitation to Ukrainians torn apart by war.

Every week, wounded patients are transported from front-line hospitals by evacuation ambulances to the UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Center in the west of Ukraine.

UNBROKEN is a unique place where those affected by Russia’s war can receive specialized medical care; notably, they provide reconstructive surgery and robotic prosthetics to the vast and constantly growing number of Ukrainian amputees.

Ukraine Story spoke with doctors and interviewed patients, many of whom were double or triple amputees. All were in different stages of treatment.

“Andriy” is twenty six. A year and a half ago he was starting a small business in his home town, then Russia invaded his country.

Two months ago he was hit. He lost both of his arms and barely escaped with his life after what he thinks was a Russian mortar round exploded in the middle of his squad.

Unaware of the seriousness of his own injuries, he described crawling around trying to help the other torn and wounded men around him.

During our interview he was serious but articulate. He had been wounded defending his country. His life would never be the same, but Russia had to be stopped.

His real name and identity have not been disclosed for security reasons.

Each of the men and women who go through the doors of the UNBROKEN facility is a glaring example of the life altering destruction brought to Ukrainians by the Russian invasion.

But UNBROKEN is also an example of the unbroken Ukrainian spirit to overcome incredible odds for family and country.