Russian servicemen who lost limbs in the war against Ukraine are still receiving high-tech foreign-made prosthetics at state expense, Novaya Gazeta Europe reports. After comparing officials’ statements with reports by regional TV channels, the outlet concluded that a substantial share of these devices comes from Germany, Iceland and Japan.
In one report aired by Yakutia-24 in April 2024, a soldier whose face was concealed said he had been given two prostheses: a regular one and a sports model. Footage of the sports device showed the Ottobock marking, identifying the German manufacturer, although reporters did not name it directly.
The same segment also featured serviceman Aleksei Antipin. He first used an Genium prosthesis made by Ottobock and later received a different model. According to the outlet, it was The Rheo Knee XC made by Iceland’s Össur. Antipin said the new device was lighter, more convenient and could hold a charge for up to three days during active walking.
Novaya Gazeta Europe also identified a TASKA bionic arm and the Japanese HybridKnee made by Nabtesco in other TV reports. In particular, a resident of Mari El named Alexander received such a bionic arm in February 2025, and journalists said it cost 8 million rubles.
In September 2025, Deputy Defense Minister Anna Tsivileva said Russia had reached a “flagship level” in prosthetics after the start of the war. But on November 10, 2025, Accounts Chamber auditor Svetlana Orlova said that 55% of prosthetics for veterans of the “special military operation” were still being purchased from countries the Russian authorities classify as “unfriendly,” despite the reported 850 billion rubles allocated for import substitution.
According to the outlet, Russia has still not managed to fully replace foreign high-tech models. Officials and industry representatives acknowledge that domestic producers have mainly mastered simpler prosthetics without digital control, while development of more advanced systems is progressing slowly.