A high-ranking official from the Defense Ministry stated on Thursday that the number of Russian troops injured in the conflict with Ukraine has positioned the country at the forefront of prosthetic limb technology.

Deputy Defense Minister Anna Tsivilyova, who is believed to be related to President Vladimir Putin, noted that the influx of veterans returning from combat has become a significant catalyst for advancements in prosthetics.

“We have likely become a leader in this domain,” Tsivilyova mentioned during the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok. “The individuals involved in the special military operation have helped us achieve a premier status, putting us ahead of numerous other nations,” she remarked, referring to the Kremlin’s terminology for the conflict.

Data from the Russian government reveals that in 2024, the country provided 60,000 more prosthetic limbs than in 2021, reflecting a 65% rise.

Moscow maintains strict secrecy regarding the reported casualties among soldiers and rarely releases details about the number of deaths and injuries. According to the BBC and the exiled news outlet Mediazona, they have documented over 125,000 fatalities among Russian soldiers in the conflict.

Last year, Putin stated that about 700,000 Russian troops were engaged in combat in Ukraine.