How prosthetic tech gets soldiers back to the battlefield

BLUF: The threat of FPV drones is prolonging the time it takes to evacuate injured soldiers, which lowers the chances of saving affected limbs. This is where prosthetics come in, achieving what used to be unthinkable: allowing amputees to return to the army. 

In other news: Tech Force in UA sent an open letter to President Zelenskyy calling on him to lift export restrictions. Deftak secured €600,000 in investments from Darkstar. 

The Eurodefense Tech Hackathon was held for the first time in Lviv, in cooperation with the Third Assault Brigade. Ukrainian developer WeTrueGun is producing Shahed-like drones for live-fire exercises.

THE BIG STORY: How modern prostheses bring amputee fighters back to active service

FPV drones now inflict the most damage on troops, accounting for up to 80 percent of all injuries. Artillery used to hold this grim distinction.

Since 2022, over 93,000 amputations have been performed in Ukraine, with the bulk of those caused by the war. Lower limb amputations are the most common; as of November 2024, there were 24,000 lower limb amputations compared to 3,900 upper limb amputations. Overall, 35,000 - 40,000 people have become amputees, said Olena Kulchytska, advisor to Social Policy Minister Oksana Zholnovych. 

What types of prosthetics are available?

Prosthetics are evolving alongside battlefield technology. For different types of military service, soldiers may use two types of prosthetics:

• Mechanical prosthetics are controlled by the remaining muscles in the limb;

• Bionic prosthetics are controlled by nerve impulses that send commands to a prosthesis.

Even the most technologically advanced prosthetics don't allow users to feel objects. That’s why visual contact must be maintained when working with the prosthetic, said Oleksandr Podkolzin, medical advisor at Allbionics, a Ukrainian developer of bionic arm prosthetics.

Allbionics focuses on prosthetics for below-elbow amputations. The design is built on titanium plates. Developers have also integrated AI elements, allowing the prosthetic device to learn alongside the user and predict movements.

Allbionics uses 3D scanning to create a prosthetic fitted to the residual limb. This takes several hours, Podkolzin said, and then the company will produce the prosthetic. Due to queues and high demand in other prosthetic centers, however, the wait time may take months.

Another Ukrainian startup, SYLA, is working on bionic knee prosthetics. Their specialty is neural networks that automatically recognize walking patterns, meaning the prosthetic device can detect stairs ahead and switch to the appropriate mode. Currently, the startup is raising a pre-seed round, seeking $1 million in investment to scale up testing, expand its functions, and pass all necessary certifications.

“Our development potentially allows users to return to service, primarily in technical, analytical, or logistics units. We will conduct these tests at later stages of development,” Olia Synyakevych, COO at SYLA, told Counteroffensive.Pro. 

Both prosthetic developers SYLA and Allbionics depend on batteries. Allbionics will work for up to 48 hours on a single charge. SYLA can operate without power, but full functionality is only available when the battery is charged. 

Can military personnel return to active duty after amputation?

It’s possible for amputees to go back to active duty, but it depends on the severity of the injury. About 30 percent of those with amputations return to service, said a representative of the Superhumans Center charitable rehabilitation clinic, but the effective range of tasks are still limited.

"Taking a shot and engaging in combat are different things. The issue here is multitasking, which even a trained brain of a young, uninjured person can't always handle," Podkolzin told Counteroffensive.Pro.

The most crucial aspect of any prosthetic fitting is the person's will and desire, said Antonina Kumka, chief director of Protez Hub, a charitable organization.

"The person controls the prosthetic, not the other way around," said Kumka, adding that each specific case is unique and requires a unique approach.

The Ukrainian state covers prosthetic costs up to $48,000. Work is underway at the Ministry of Social Policy to have the state cover prosthetic costs even for partial amputations, such as lost fingers.

The biggest challenges of returning to service with prosthetics 

With a lower limb amputation, the foot needs to be changed for specific tasks, for example, when running. 

You also need to change the parameters depending on the shoes to ensure a smooth step, said Boyko, a sergeant in the Third Separate Assault Brigade, who declined to give his full name for security reasons. He was injured in 2022 and had to have his leg amputated above the knee. 

Boyko has used an electronic Ottobock prosthesis, which is good enough for civilian life, he said. He was able to become a range instructor thanks to training and his dirt-resistant prosthesis, which can withstand light rain.

Still, no above-knee prosthesis will allow a soldier to return to combat missions, he emphasized. 

The biggest issues with prosthetics right now are a shortage of qualified personnel and proper prosthetic prescriptions. 

Price isn't an indicator that a prosthetic will be the best fit. Doctors need to understand not only how to model prosthetics; they also need a deep understanding of human anatomy and body mechanics.

BUSINESS LUNCH TOPICS: What our reporting shows!

1. The drones helping Ukraine hit more Shaheds 

The Ukrainian manufacturer WeTrueGun has developed the Gupalo-N – a visual replica of the Russian-Iranian Shahed/Geran drones used for training. These drones have improved Ukrainian troops’ effectiveness in countering Russian drones.

The Gupalo-N was designed as a multipurpose platform, mimicking the Shahed or Geran-2. Soldiers train to hit them with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, various machine guns, or larger air defense systems.

The manufacturer has also incorporated the ability to simulate various flight trajectories. And the drone can be used again and again: as long as the engine remains intact, replacing other components isn't a difficult task, said a company representative.

2. Private manufacturers urge Zelenskyy to allow weapons export

Tech Force in UA, which represents more than 50 private miltech firms, sent an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling on him to lift export restrictions and allow the export of weapons under a controlled procedure.

“We don’t determine the state policy. We implement it. We are working with our manufacturers. Last week, we had a meeting with NAUDI [the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries]. We are open to dialogue,” Oleh Tsilvik, acting head of the State Service for Export Control, told Counteroffensive.Pro during the event.

The discussion on how exports should work was actively discussed last month, according to representatives of several defense companies. However, it’s not clear when changes will happen and under what conditions.

Read our previous publication outlining three possible scenarios of how export restrictions could be lifted.

3. Eurodefense Tech Hackathon held in Lviv for the first time – take a look at the winners

Three teams have won the Eurodefense Tech Hackathon held in Lviv. Among them is Clarity, an AI-based analysis of photos taken from drones, founded by active servicemen. A team working on drone detection and a team that works on AI analysis of drone video also won. 

More than 150 participants worked on issues proposed by the Third Assault Brigade, AB3 Tech, Quantum Systems, and other co-organizers.

In both competitions at the hackathon, the Clarity team was among the winners. Their project could significantly reduce the time needed to post analysis of drone images, which right now is fully manual. The developers hope to expand their product to cover the whole frontline.

The list of the winners chosen by the Third Assault Brigade:

1. Clarity;

2. AI Model for post-analysis and reporting of FPV and drone videos;

3. Payload capable of triangulating the source of the radio signal;

4. Khmara – a platform for remotely controlling drones.

Among the solutions proposed were ideas on how to detect drones on optic fiber cables, Shahed drones, the development of corrected dropping munitions, and others. The hackathon took place from May 22 to 25.

4. Deftak startup raises €600,000 from Darkstar 

The Ukrainian-Estonian startup Deftak has raised €600,000 in investment from the European investment fund Darkstar. The startup develops ammunition for drones that can be integrated with any unmanned aircraft.

"The investment will go toward scaling production and developing a new ammunition version. Integration requirements for drones are being discussed with specific manufacturers," Andrii Romanenko, CEO of Deftak, told Counteroffensive.Pro.

There are currently two types of ammunition with 1.4 and 0.4 kg warheads and a total weight of up to 5 kg. The ammunition can also be integrated onto reconnaissance drones to turn them into strike platforms.

"The realities of electronic warfare in the war in Ukraine change every three months, and Deftak is the best example of a team and product that can provide Ukraine and NATO with a critical advantage over the enemy today and in the future," said Ragnar Sass, co-founder of Darkstar.

5. Ukrainian armor is ready for the mass production of a new armored vehicle, Varta-2, without a Belarusian chassis

The Ukrainian manufacturer Ukrainian armor has completed the codification process and is ready for serial production with the new armored vehicle, Varta-2. The new version of the vehicle is based on a new chassis designed for the Varta-2, while in the first generation, it was based on the Belarusian truck MAZ, Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor, told Counteroffensive.Pro.

“The need for armored vehicles in the Ukrainian Defense Forces is high. In my opinion, the estimate is approximately five thousand to six thousand,” said Belbas.

Varta-2 also offers enhanced protection, meeting the standard STANAG 3A/3B, which ensures protection against an 8 kg anti-tank mine explosion and 7.62x51 mm rounds at a distance of 30 meters.

Ukrainian orders/legislation we’re tracking: 

By: Oksana Zabolotna

Private Military Companies

Draft Law: No. 13257 dated 05.05.2025

Why It’s Important:

Ukraine possesses significant human potential in the security sector – including veterans, instructors, and intelligence officers – but the absence of a legal framework limits the ability to provide such services legally. The legalization of PMCs would enable:

• employment opportunities for veterans and their integration into civilian life through professional engagement;

• strengthening of national defense without directly increasing the burden on the Armed Forces of Ukraine;

• expansion of Ukraine’s presence in the global security market.

At the same time, the draft law includes clear restrictions on participation in combat operations abroad and strict regulation by international humanitarian law.

Proposals:

• The draft law proposes to legalize private military companies (PMCs) in Ukraine, which are currently prohibited. Their activities will be permitted exclusively under a license. 

• A wide range of functions is envisioned, including:
  –  protection of individuals, facilities, and property;
  – demining;
  – participation in international peacekeeping missions;
  – training of military and law enforcement personnel from other countries;
  – provision of defense services to allied countries;
  – leasing of weapons and equipment;
  – assistance for arms export/import operations;                                                                  

• PMCs are prohibited from directly participating in combat operations on the territory of other countries. 

Stage: Sent for review to the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence

Initiator: A group of 13 Members of Parliament from the ‘Servant of the People’ faction, led by Sviatoslav Yurash.

Link to Defense Tech: PMCs could serve as platforms for testing and implementing Ukrainian defense technologies, such as drones, software, and communication systems. They may also become exporters of defense solutions, acting as operators of equipment developed by Ukrainian engineers, as well as customers of innovations from defense tech startups for their own needs in training grounds and field conditions.

Furthermore, adopting the draft law would enable the collection and analysis of operational experience with weaponry, contributing to its further development, improvement, and the elimination of shortcomings.

Next Step: The draft law has not been reviewed in the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, and it is unclear when the deputies will weigh in on it. 

ON THE MOVE: Professional movement, promotions and industry news.

Know someone in the defense tech space who has made a professional move? Drop us a line at [email protected]! 

• Deftak, a drone munition developer, is hiring an operational director.

• Oksana Chaban will start a new position as HR director at Digital Army, a Ukrainian state-owned enterprise developing digital solutions for the defense and security sector.

30 SECOND ELEVATOR PITCH:

TacticMap is a Ukrainian application for tactical-level situational awareness. TacticMap lets Android and iOS users view terrain maps offline, mark tactical situations according to NATO APP-5(D) standards, identify enemy positions, and coordinate with friendly forces. The software has been used by Ukrainian military personnel in combat zones since 2023. It operates completely autonomously, without requiring internet access or a centralized server.

"We created TacticMap, so every soldier could navigate terrain, maintain battlefield situational awareness, and interact with other military personnel and units," said Yaroslav Sherstyuk, CEO of TacticMap.

They are currently raising $150,000 in investment to scale development, improve device synchronization, and expand into international markets.

MUST READS:

• Ukraine held talks with Sweden's Saab to modernize Soviet aircraft with Swedish avionics, radars, and electronic warfare equipment. Saab also produces JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.

• Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine plans to scale up the production of 155 mm artillery shells to 1 million per year in cooperation with Western partners.

• Belarus has adopted a new V-2 wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC). The APC has an Adunok-BM30.2 combat module, a PKT 7.62 mm machine gun, and four launchers of Konkurs-RB anti-tank guided missiles.

• China is supplying Russian military facilities with machine tools, special chemicals, gunpowder, and other components, said Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.

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