Rise in issue of prosthetics hints at soaring Russian casualties with war-related amputations

Open-source reporting indicates a sharp rise in the number of prosthetic limbs issued in Russia, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Citing data from Russia's Ministry of Labour, Russians with disabilities reportedly received 152,500 prosthetic limbs in 2024 - a 53% increase on the previous year.

This included a 75% rise in the issuance of upper-limb prosthetics. Wheelchair distribution also rose by 18% over the same period.

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Independent Russian media outlets have previously reported that wounded Russian soldiers with amputations were left waiting extended periods for the prosthetics they needed.

The MOD says Russia is almost certainly failing to provide adequate frontline medical treatment, which likely contributes to the high number of serious, long-term injuries among its troops.

As Russia struggles to care for its own wounded, it is also relying increasingly on foreign troops to bolster its forces.

Also according to the MOD, North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region have likely suffered more than 6,000 casualties – more than half of the estimated 11,000 DPRK personnel deployed.

The losses are thought to have resulted from repeated large-scale, infantry-led assaults with limited support.

Despite the scale of casualties, Pyongyang is reported to have sent only a small number of reinforcements.

Russian Security Council Secretary and ex-Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea earlier this month for talks with Kim Jong-un – his second visit in less than three months.