Russia’s Imports of German Prosthetic Limbs Surge Fivefold as War Amputations Mount

Russia has increased imports of German-made prosthetic limbs more than fivefold since before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as growing numbers of Russian soldiers return from the battlefield with severe injuries and amputations.

According to Forbes Russia, citing Eurostat data, Russia imported €79 million worth of prosthetic limbs and artificial joints from Germany in the first half of 2026, nearly one-third more than a year earlier.

Compared with the same period in 2021, imports of German prosthetic limbs increased 5.4 times, while artificial joint imports rose 6.1 times.

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Germany accounted for 55% of Russia’s €144.9 million in prosthetics and artificial joint imports from the European Union during the first six months of 2026. The Netherlands followed with 23%, while Belgium supplied 17%.

The surge comes as Russia faces the long-term consequences of its war against Ukraine, including a growing population of wounded veterans requiring rehabilitation.

According to Russia’s Labor Ministry, the government provided 152,661 prosthetic arms and legs in 2024, compared with 99,515 in 2023—the highest figure recorded in a decade. The ministry subsequently stopped publishing comparable statistics.

Russian state corporation Rostec previously acknowledged that the proportion of younger people requiring prosthetics had risen from approximately 8% before the invasion to 15–20% in 2025, largely due to Russian military personnel wounded in Ukraine.

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The financial burden has also increased. Russia spent approximately $1.49 billion on rehabilitation equipment in 2025, significantly exceeding its original budget of $936 million. Another $1.22 billion has been allocated for 2026, nearly three times pre-invasion levels.

In January 2026, The Telegraph reported that Russian soldiers who had lost limbs fighting in Ukraine were being sent back to the front lines despite their disabilities. Some wounded troops said they had received no prosthetics or adequate support from Russian authorities.

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