War and its Consequences: The Path to Recovery for Veterans with UNIDO

War changes lives in an instant. In Ukraine, each day brings new injuries and hardships for civilians and veterans. Many suffer life-altering trauma, particularly limb loss, that leaves not only physical scars but also emotional and economic challenges.

Since the onset of the conflict, thousands of Ukrainians have faced long and difficult paths of recovery, highlighting the urgent need for accessible rehabilitation, assistive technologies and economic reintegration. The United Nations is working to support those affected, restoring not just mobility, but independence, dignity and hope.

Among those whose lives have been transformed is 23-year-old Oleh Bruchkovskyi, a veteran from Lviv who lost a leg while serving near Bakhmut.

“I sat down on the logs to rest, and at that moment, there was an explosion next to my leg," Oleh recalls. "My comrades rushed to help, following first-aid protocol. The evacuation took about ten minutes. I was quickly taken to the nearest hospital and from there to Dnipro." 

Oleh grew up like any other child, fascinated with computers and later educated as an electrician. In early 2022, two months before the war started, he signed a military contract. "I was just 20 years old," he recalls.

"A wounded soldier’s dream is an amputation like mine," Oleh jokes. "A 'harmless' amputation – below the knee – because with such an amputation, you can still do a lot. I was lucky enough."

Oleh is one of the veterans who received a 3D-printed prosthesis at the Halychyna Rehabilitation Centre as part of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) led project "Emergency assistance for 3D-printed prosthetics and job creation in Ukraine," funded by the Government and people of Japan.

Through this initiative, UNIDO is helping Ukrainian prosthetics producers manufacture high-quality, customized prosthetics using cutting-edge 3D-printing technology. This process significantly reduces costs, production time and weight, making prosthetics more accessible and effective.

"Everything happened quickly for me – I received my prosthesis in just two to three months," Oleh says. "Some guys wait six to eight months due to the manual work involved and the shortage of prosthetists."

In collaboration with a Japanese startup specializing in 3D-printed prosthetics, UNIDO is introducing digital modelling and AI-driven design techniques. This innovation enhances precision, speeds up production and reduces costs.

So far, ten Ukrainian prosthetists have completed specialized training in digital prosthetics production and thirty veterans like Oleh have already received 3D-printed prosthetics through the project, restoring mobility and independence.

"When I returned from the hospital, I was walking with crutches, but now with the prosthesis, I sometimes forget that I lost part of my leg," Oleh shares.

Recently, Oleh took a major step forward when he climbed 400 steps at Lviv City Hall to propose to his girlfriend. 

"I didn’t know the stairs there were so steep, but my mom was already waiting to record it all on camera, and my comrade, who provided me first aid during the injury, brought 101 roses. The girlfriend said 'Yes!' Then, we were congratulated from the City Hall loudspeakers."

Despite the uncertainty ahead, Oleh remains hopeful and determined.

"What are my future plans? I’m not entirely sure. Most of us spent two or three years at war. We never truly experienced life. But I still have a hunger for it,” he stresses. "Thanks to this prosthesis and your work, I can move forward and live fully.”

The human cost of war is devastating, but stories like Oleh’s demonstrate not only suffering but also hope for recovery and a new life after injury. Support from international organizations and cooperation with partner countries are crucial for the rehabilitation and social integration of veterans.

This initiative is part of the UNIDO green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine (2024-2028), ensuring sustainable recovery efforts that empower those most affected by the war.