Deputy Defence Minister of Russia, Anna Tsivilyova dropped a major BOMF. She pointed out that it has mostly been veterans back from the battlefield that have propelled innovations in the country’s creation of prosthetic limbs. At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Tsivilyova said dramatically about war in Ukraine. She pointed out that this crisis has created a lot of innovation, as more veterans are coming home without limbs.
Tsivilyova’s remarks come amid international scrutiny of her role in Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The United States, European Union, and Britain have sanctioned her personally for her role in the war. Back home, reports indicate that Tsivilyova is in fact President Vladimir Putin’s cousin. The UK has dubbed her “Putin’s first cousin once removed,” while the EU has referred to her as a “close relative.”
During the conference, Tsivilyova remarked, “We are probably leading in this direction now,” referring to Russia’s advancements in prosthetics. She attributed the current success in this field to those involved in what the Russian government terms its “special military operation.”
According to statistics from the Russian government, production of prosthetic limbs has soared. It was a staggering 65% increase, as in 2024 they released 60,000 additional units than released in 2021. It’s little surprise then that the surge directly correlates with the influx of veterans returning from that conflict. Far too many of these brave souls have incurred life-altering injuries, including amputations.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has calculated that Russian military casualties may reach 250,000. Further, total casualties—including wounded personnel—could reach over 950,000. These numbers represent a staggering amount of human suffering and devastation due to the continued war. As President Putin just announced to the world, he now has—as he calls them—approximately 700,000 Russian troops in Ukraine. While many soldiers have petrified in combat, Moscow remains mum on the real number of soldiers killed or injured.
These elevated casualty rates are evident in the Russian financial performance of the funeral industry. Still, between January and April 2025, profits for funeral service providers skyrocketed by 12.7% over Q1 2024. This substantial increase is evidence of a rapidly increasing demand, perhaps most strongly attributed to the now-ongoing war.
She concluded by recognizing the important contribution of veterans to the development of advanced prosthetic technology. Their extensive efforts have advanced Russia to a “priority flagship level.”