Prosthetics open up new possibilities for individuals after limb loss — but to fully embrace these possibilities, people need to acquire new knowledge and skills. Proper and effective use of a prosthesis is key to comfort and quality of life.
Our partners at Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics (MCOP) Ukraine have launched a specialized Gait Optimization and Adaptation Program to help patients walk more confidently and efficiently.
- The program runs for 4 weeks and includes 12 comprehensive sessions.
- Each patient works with both a prosthetist and a gait optimization specialist simultaneously — a collaborative approach that significantly boosts the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process. The prosthesis is adjusted to the individual’s physiology and lifestyle.
- At the end of the program, each participant receives a personalized recovery plan with targeted exercises and long-term guidance for sustainable progress.
The first participants of the program with a support of the Future for Ukraine Foundation became three soldiers from the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Roman Sotnikov, Hlib Kravchenko, and Artem Ivankov.
These veterans are making remarkable progress in mastering their prostheses — their determination is truly inspiring and gives them renewed confidence in their future.
Roman Sotnikov “Bumba”
40-year-old Roman is from Trostianets. After spending a month under russian occupation, he was determined to join the army and help liberate his homeland. In 2024, Roman went on his first combat mission with the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.
“They told me the enemy was just 100–150 meters away and needed to be destroyed. I was shocked at first, but panic gets you killed. So I pulled myself together,” he recalls.
Roman was wounded during the combat mission in Kharkiv region — a mortar fragment hit his left foot.
“It was a small fragment, but it caused a serious infection. My foot had to be amputated. My fellow soldiers encouraged me, saying I’d be able to walk with a prosthesis, and even run.”
Roman’s wife and 6-year-old son, who had to flee constant shelling in Sumy region, are now in Slovakia.
“I need to go raise my son… but I also want to return to my brigade after rehab and prosthetic training”, veteran sharing his thoughts.
Hlib Kravchenko “Holden”
Before the war, Hlib was building a career in IT. But after the full-scale invasion, he couldn’t stand by. He started by volunteering in his hometown of Dnipro and eventually joined the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade in 2024.
While evacuating wounded comrades in eastern Ukraine in September 2024, he was hit by an FPV drone and suffered a severe shrapnel injury to his left leg.
“I knew the amputation was inevitable, so I calmly asked the surgeon, ‘Minus one?’”
Hlib is now actively adapting to his prosthesis and says he’s slowly getting used to it — only the mirror reminds him it’s not his real leg.
Artem Ivankov “Junger”
At just 16, Artem had already decided to dedicate his life to military service. In 2024, upon turning 18, he went straight to the recruitment center of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.
“In March 2022, my mom and I fled the war to Canada. But I spent the whole year thinking about coming back to Ukraine to join the army. I saved money, trained hard, a one day became a rifleman-medic in the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade”.
Artem was injured near Novoiehorivka (Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region) when a fellow soldier stepped on an anti-personnel mine. Artem was hit by shrapnel.
“I went into shock. It felt like I’d lost three limbs. But I was relatively lucky — only one limb was gone.”
Artem is determined to live fully with his new prosthesis. He dreams of running a marathon and going hiking in the mountains.
Farhad Ostovari, Doctor of Physical Therapy and practicing rehabilitation specialist at MCOP Ukraine, explains:
“Our goal isn’t just to teach someone how to walk on a prosthesis — it’s to help them do it confidently. Limb loss isn’t just a physical injury. It also brings emotional trauma, balance issues, and discomfort. These can hold people back.”
“Proper physical rehabilitation during prosthetic care should give people motivation. It should show them what’s possible instead of focusing on what’s been lost. We help the brain learn to recognize signals from the prosthesis in place of the lost limb.
It might sound futuristic — but this is what we do every day at MCOP Ukraine. We’re here to challenge the outdated belief that a prosthesis means limitations. For us, it means new opportunities.”
We extend our deep gratitude to the team at Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics Ukraine for their continuous efforts to support Ukrainian veterans who have lost limbs.
The center is currently operating in pilot mode in Kyiv. Stay tuned to our website for updates on the official launch of Ukraine’s future leader in prosthetic care.
