Latest news with #Superhumans
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Brit amputee injured in Russian drone strike treated by Ukrainian prosthetics charity
The vehicle of a British volunteer in Ukraine was struck by a Russian drone, leaving him with life-changing injuries. Now the charity wants to highlight all of those injured. Eddy Scott, a 28-year-old Brit from Dorset, travelled to Ukraine in October 2022 as a humanitarian volunteer. A former sailor, he delivered drinking water to frontline towns, repaired war-damaged homes, and assisted medical teams. In January this year, while helping to transport civilians out of Pokrovsk, his humanitarian van was targeted and struck by an FPV drone. Everyone survived the explosion, but Eddy sustained severe injuries, losing his left arm and leg. According to the charity Superhumans, which specialises in prosthetics and reconstructive surgery, over 80,000 people have lost limbs as a result of the ongoing conflict. With the help of Superhumans, Eddy says he is making good progress in his rehabilitation. However, the charity reports that war-related injuries are increasing by 15 percent each year. To highlight the growing number of casualties and draw attention to the ongoing impact of the war, Superhumans has replaced the lamp on the statue of healthcare pioneer Florence Nightingal e in London with a prosthetic painted in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. The initiative has received support from Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite, as well as heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. Additional artificial limbs have also been placed around the statue's base, each featuring a QR code that leads viewers to a video series titled "Ukraine: Defending Freedom," sharing personal narratives of patients at the Superhumans Centre. Olga Rudnieva, CEO of the charity, stated: "We want to keep attention on the war in Ukraine and highlight the ongoing battle we're having to supply those in need. "In the modern era, the development of prosthetics means that people can get back to living life normally and it's our aim, in an abnormal circumstance, to get people feeling themselves again." The Superhumans war trauma centre was built in just four-and-a-half months while Lviv faced ongoing attacks in 2022. Since then, it has provided services to more than 2,000 patients and this year has extended its reach to Dnipro and Odessa. Eddy Scott emphasised, "It is so important that we continue to talk about Ukraine. So many people have forgotten that this war is still happening. All of us are tired, but it doesn't mean that we can stop." Representing Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson stated: "Ukraine's fight is not just for its own future, but for the ideals of freedom and democracy everywhere. "Since Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They've sacrificed their limbs, homes, and lives. It's easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness. "But we cannot look away. Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf. Let's keep standing together for Ukraine."
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
'I lost limbs but stayed to help others in Ukraine'
An aid worker who lost an arm and a leg in a Russian drone strike in Ukraine says the war has left thousands of people in need of prosthetic Scott, from Dorset, was helping evacuees from the front line town of Pokrovsk on 30 January when his vehicle was his injuries, he chose to remain in his adopted country and now works for Superhumans - the medical charity that supplied his prosthetic said Ukrainians were being looked after by the "comprehensive state system" but the charity helped people get back to being "whole human beings". Mr Scott, originally from Shaftesbury, said he was "doing really well" since his on BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, he said: "I haven't had a lot of the problems other people have suffered with, particularly mentally."I was offered an evacuation for treatment and I told the team, as long as I'm not taking a bed up from a Ukrainian, I'll stay in Ukraine."It's turned into an incredible decision. I'm very happy to be able to continue to help my adopted country in a very positive way." Superhumans offers free, state-of-the-art prosthetics, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation and psychological support for adults and children affected by the has supplied 1,600 prosthetics in the last two years but said there were at least 80,000 more people in need of artificial Scott, 28, said he had been "incredibly lucky".He said: "Through Superhumans, I've received a top-notch prosthetic leg, which I'm incredibly grateful to get and I've been slowly learning to use."There is a very comprehensive state system - both medical and rehab - so people are being looked after but it's really places like Superhumans that have the time and the funds to go the extra mile, getting us back to being as whole human beings as possible." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
More than 80,000 people lose limbs in Ukraine war as staggering human cost of Putin's cruel invasion is laid bare
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MORE than 80,000 people have lost limbs as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, according to a charity which wants to highlight the human cost of Russia's invasion. Data from Superhumans, a modern war trauma centre, which specialises in prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation in war-torn Ukraine, revealed that war injuries were rising by up to 15 per cent annually. 7 Smoke rises after a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, July 4, 2025 Credit: AP 7 A local man stares on a building, partially destroyed by a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv Credit: Getty 7 Firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv region Credit: AP 7 Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the press during the at the Conference for the Recovery of Ukraine Credit: Getty To raise awareness, the statue of modern health trailblazer Florence Nightingale has had her iconic lamp replaced by a prosthetic painted in Ukrainian colours - with additional prosthetics also placed around the base of the statue. The artificial limbs include a QR code directing people to a video series, "Ukraine: Defending Freedom", featuring the personal stories of patients of the Superhumans Center. It was led by the Superhumans Center and has been backed by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite, as well as Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. CEO of the charity, Olga Rudnieva, said: "We want to keep attention on the war in Ukraine and highlight the ongoing battle we're having to supply those in need. "Florence Nightingale is famously associated with her work during the Crimean war, which took place in the region now known as Ukraine, where she led a group of nurses to take care of wounded soldiers. "In the modern era, the development of prosthetics means that people can get back to living life normally and it's our aim, in an abnormal circumstance, to get people feeling themselves again." The Superhumans war trauma center was built in four-and-a-half months in Lviv during the full-scale invasion in 2022, providing services to more than 2,000 patients during its inception. And this year, it has expanded into Dnipro and Odessa. One of those to benefit from the expertise of the charity is Briton Eddy Scott, 28, from Dorset. Formerly a sailor, he went to Ukraine in October 2022 as a humanitarian volunteer, delivering drinking water to cut off frontline towns, repairing war damaged homes and assisting medical teams. Trump shipping long-range missiles to Ukraine will change face of war' after 'p****d' Don's patience with Putin runs out However, on 30 January this year, when assisting in transporting civilians out of Pokrovsk, his clearly marked humanitarian van was targeted and hit by an FPV drone. Everyone survived the blast; however, Eddy was seriously injured, losing his left arm and leg in the attack. But through the support of Superhumans and other organisations he is progressing well, with his focus being on continuing to support Ukraine in whatever way he can. Eddy Scott said, "It is so important that we continue to talk about Ukraine. So many people have forgotten that this war is still happening. All of us are tired, but it doesn't mean that we can stop." Speaking on behalf of Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson said: "Ukraine's fight is not just for its own future, but for the ideals of freedom and democracy everywhere. "Since Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They've sacrificed their limbs, homes, and lives. "It's easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness. But we cannot look away. "Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf." 7 Ukrainian emergency services working at the site of a drone strike in the Kyiv area Credit: EPA 7 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
More than 80,000 people lose limbs in Ukraine war as staggering human cost of Putin's cruel invasion is laid bare
MORE than 80,000 people have lost limbs as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, according to a charity which wants to highlight the human cost of Russia's invasion. Data from Superhumans, a modern war trauma centre, which specialises in prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation in war-torn Ukraine, revealed that war injuries were rising by up to 15 per cent annually. 7 Smoke rises after a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, July 4, 2025 Credit: AP 7 A local man stares on a building, partially destroyed by a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv Credit: Getty 7 Firefighters try to put out a fire following a Russian attack in Kharkiv region Credit: AP 7 Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the press during the at the Conference for the Recovery of Ukraine Credit: Getty To raise awareness, the statue of modern health trailblazer Florence Nightingale has had her iconic lamp replaced by a prosthetic painted in Ukrainian colours - with additional prosthetics also placed around the base of the statue. The artificial limbs include a QR code directing people to a video series, "Ukraine: Defending Freedom", featuring the personal stories of patients of the It was led by the Superhumans Center and has been backed by Sir CEO of the charity, Olga Rudnieva, said: "We want to keep attention on the war in Ukraine and highlight the ongoing battle we're having to supply those in need. "Florence Nightingale is famously associated with her work during the Crimean war, which took place in the region now known as Ukraine, where she led a group of nurses to take care of wounded soldiers. "In the modern era, the development of prosthetics means that people can get back to living life normally and it's our aim, in an abnormal circumstance, to get people feeling themselves again." The Superhumans war trauma center was built in four-and-a-half months in Lviv during the full-scale invasion in 2022, providing services to more than 2,000 patients during its inception. And this year, it has expanded into Dnipro and Odessa. Most read in The Sun One of those to benefit from the expertise of the charity is Briton Eddy Scott, 28, from Dorset. Formerly a sailor, he went to Ukraine in October 2022 as a humanitarian volunteer, delivering drinking water to cut off frontline towns, repairing war damaged homes and assisting medical teams. Trump shipping long-range missiles to Ukraine will change face of war' after 'p****d' Don's patience with Putin runs out However, on 30 January this year, when assisting in transporting civilians out of Pokrovsk, his clearly marked humanitarian van was targeted and hit by an FPV drone. Everyone survived the blast; however, Eddy was seriously injured, losing his left arm and leg in the attack. But through the support of Superhumans and other organisations he is progressing well, with his focus being on continuing to support Ukraine in whatever way he can. Eddy Scott said, "It is so important that we continue to talk about Ukraine. So many people have forgotten that this war is still happening. All of us are tired, but it doesn't mean that we can stop." Speaking on behalf of Virgin Unite, Sir Richard Branson said: "Ukraine's fight is not just for its own "Since Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian people have paid a terrible price. They've sacrificed their limbs, homes, and lives. Read more on the Irish Sun "It's easy, from a distance, to feel fatigue or helplessness. But we cannot look away. "Freedom is never free, and Ukraine is paying the cost on all our behalf." 7 Ukrainian emergency services working at the site of a drone strike in the Kyiv area Credit: EPA 7 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting Credit: Reuters 7 Firefighters working on a fire at a site of a strike following a mass Russian drone attack Credit: AFP
Daily Maverick
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
The bloodied but unbowed survivors in Ukraine, where dreams cannot be burned
Lviv has become a major humanitarian centre for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, or recovering from it. The city's Superhumans Center has fitted more than 2,000 prosthetic limbs to about 1,000 casualties of the war. 'Dreams cannot be burned,' says the T-shirt worn by Roman Oleksiv. And dreams cannot be bombed, shot or otherwise obliterated either, say Ukrainians in general. Roman has become an international symbol of Ukrainian courage and resilience. Three years ago, aged seven, he was in a shop with his mother in the city of Vinnytsia. The building was hit by a Russian missile, killing his mother instantly. He recalls kissing her goodbye as he was pulled out of the rubble. He suffered 80% burns over his body, a broken arm, a severed muscle in his right leg and shrapnel wounds to his head, says his father, Yaroslav Oleksiv. Roman was flown to one of Germany's largest burn centres, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, which performed several operations, including many skin grafts, as well as rehabilitation. He learned to walk again, and to dance, as ballroom dancing is his passion. He has become an international celebrity, and a film was made featuring him dancing in a mask to cover his scars. We met him and his father at a restaurant in Ukraine's western city of Lviv last month. He was unmasked. He said the mask became too hot, so he removed it. 'When I took it off, I said 'I believe I can fly!'' he laughed. Ruslana Danilkina radiates similar optimism. Three years ago, after Russia attacked, she volunteered to defend her country at the age of 18. On 23 February 2023, while travelling in the Kherson district as a military communications operator, her vehicle was hit by a Russian cluster bomb, severely injuring her left leg, which had to be amputated above the knee. She was one of the first casualties to be brought to the Superhumans Center in Lviv, which opened in April 2023. It fits military patients with prostheses and teaches them how to use the artificial body parts. It also performs complex surgery, including facial surgery, to repair war damage and provides psychological counselling to war victims and their families. Danilkina was fitted with a prosthetic leg. Because of her quick recovery and rehabilitation, she was asked to stay on at the centre, where she is now an ambassador for Superhumans. 'A lot to share' She was quick to establish her positive spirit when briefing visiting African journalists last month. 'Before the injury, I never wore skirts,' she said. Now she does, revealing her prosthetic left leg with an electronic knee. 'I am very active in sports. I do surfing, mountain climbing, so I have a lot to share with the patients, and I guess this is why I am here.' She shows us the 'peer-to-peer department, where there are examples of almost every injury and prosthesis, because when a patient arrives we want them to be able to relate to someone who has had the exact type of experience, and how far you can go and how much you can achieve regardless'. Patients start their rehabilitation journeys when they are measured and customised carbon-fibre prosthesis holders are moulded to fit their bodies comfortably to connect the artificial limbs to their body by vacuum. The more of a limb that remains, the easier the process and the greater the possible movement. Losing a leg from below the knee is relatively straightforward and does not impose too many restrictions on the patient. Losing even one knee, 'you immediately feel how life gets different and how many things are now beyond your reach. And losing both knees is considered an extremely complicated trauma.' A patient may get a mechanical or an electronic knee, the latter for those who wish to remain more active, as she does. Some patients even return to battle. With the electronic knee, 'to take a step, you need to put pressure and just throw it. 'This is a special app that gets installed on your cellphone, and it has various modes of operation. I can run with it, I can climb the stairs, and it can get wet, like when I swim in the ocean.' But for a patient who has lost their hip bone completely, there is no place on their body to fix the prosthesis, so it is fixed to the belt. Then walking is not just a matter of throwing the leg, as she does, but using the full force of the back and torso muscles to take just one step. Danilkina stresses that the manufacture of the prosthesis holder is the most important part of the treatment. It has to be exact because if it does not fit the body comfortably, 'the patient will not walk'. Learning curve With the help of equipment such as 3D printers, a prosthesis can be made in a day. But teaching a patient how to use it generally takes much longer. Danilkina says she saw one patient running on his third day, but usually it takes at least two weeks to learn to walk again; for a knee amputation, three weeks to a month; for a double knee amputation, much longer. 'Here we teach our patients to fall and get up, and how to do daily care. We teach them everything.' We see patients walking on different surfaces, up and down slopes and navigating obstacles to get used to their artificial limbs. Danilkina points out some patients who have lost both legs above the knee and are doing exercises on very short prosthetic legs. She explains that they are learning how to hold themselves vertically, to maintain balance and to begin to walk again, even to run, and to navigate obstacles, slopes and uneven surfaces. Once they have learnt that, they graduate to full-length prostheses. Making and learning how to use prosthetic arms is a different challenge. It requires lining up the remaining active muscles in what's left of the living arm with electronic sensors in the prosthetic arm to enable the patient to move their arm and fingers. The muscles are not physically connected to the sensors; they are pressed together so the sensors can detect and respond to the muscle movements. The more muscles that are still active in the patient, the more complex their arm and hand movements can be. But arm movements remain restricted; the higher the amputation, the greater the restriction. Though Danilkina is brave and resilient, determined not to allow her disability to immobilise her, she admits it is difficult. It requires constant exercise to keep her muscles strong to walk upright. 'I can swim in a pool, I can ride a bicycle, I can climb mountains, but every second of my life, regardless of all that, I feel that I am wearing a prosthesis and I feel the pain that comes with it.' For instance, her left leg contracts from lack of exercise, which pushes it further into the prosthesis holder, and that hurts. She also experiences sharp pangs of phantom pain. Invictus Games She says most patients, like her, are inspired by their disabilities to achieve more in life. 'We have patients who hadn't done any kind of sports before the injury and who very recently participated in the Invictus Games. 'If a patient wants to go to a professional sport, we will get them a professional prosthesis. 'For the patients who want to return to the frontline, we provide them with high-quality electronic knee prostheses, because they need to feel very confident.' Some patients open businesses, and the centre helps them with training and applying for grants. Unfortunately, some patients go the other way, suffer depression and won't use their prostheses, and some lapse into alcoholism. 'I guess looking at them made me realise that my life, my future life, depends on me and on the choices that I make. Either to live and be proactive and efficient, or succumb to weaknesses,' said Danilkina. The Superhumans Center also performs reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery, restoring hearing, restoring faces, restoring arms and legs in often complex procedures. Recently, for instance, the surgeons transplanted part of a patient's leg bone into his jaw. Superhumans has also opened a centre in the city of Dnipro in the east of the country and will open a third one in Odesa to the south, on the Black Sea, by the end of 2025. It receives no government funding, raising money through donations at home and abroad. Its major funder is the US philanthropist Howard Buffett. The Lviv centre has fitted more than 2,000 prosthetic limbs to about 1,000 patients (who mostly have needed more than one), but this is only a fraction of the need for prosthetics, which is also partly met by other private and government prosthetic facilities. Because it is relatively far from the frontline, Lviv has become a major humanitarian centre for those fleeing the war or recovering from it. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi explains that the Superhumans Center is part of an 'unbroken ecosystem' that Lviv is building to support war victims. Its hub is the rehabilitation centre, which comprises a prosthetics workshop, a rehabilitation facility for those who have lost limbs in the war, and treatment centres for victims of torture and those requiring psychological healing. It also includes the main municipal hospital, which has treated 19,000 war wounded; a children's hospital; a centre for those who have survived occupation, capture and torture; housing for those internally displaced by the war; and arts and sports facilities. Humanity unbroken With French government funding, Lviv is building a new line on its tram network to connect the complex to the city centre. 'This together is an ecosystem of humanity unbroken,' said Sadovyi, noting that the city of Lviv reserves 20% of its budget for buying equipment for Ukraine's military and has provided special grants for Ukrainian companies to manufacture equipment such as drones. For all the hopeful rehabilitation and recovery, though, the death toll of Russian President Vladimir Putin's relentless war against Ukraine continues to rise. Sadovyi says he attends a funeral of one of Lviv's sons or daughters every day, most of them buried in the rapidly expanded new section of the historic Lychakiv Cemetery dedicated to those who have fallen in the war against Russia, adjacent to the graves of the dead of Ukraine's many earlier wars. When we visited in June, one hour after the last funeral, 1,104 men and women had been buried there. Grieving, tearful relatives tended the graves. This part of the cemetery was still unfinished and looked like an empty lot, although the architect's pictures show the gracious, sweeping lawns and terraces of how it will eventually look. DM Peter Fabricius was visiting the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and the European Union on a journalists' study tour sponsored by those three governments.
