Ukrainian soldiers fitted with prosthetics at local lab

Five Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Minnesota on Saturday to get fitted for prosthetic limbs after being wounded fighting in the Russian invasion.

The Minneapolis-based Limb Lab is helping these amputees adjust to their life with this state-of-the-art equipment.

It’s something most of us take for granted — putting one foot in front of the other.

“I’m the kind of person that’s very active. I can’t sit still,” Danylo Sivakov, Ukrainian Soldier told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS with a translator.

But for the last four months, Sivakov was forced to live his life in a wheelchair.

“The artillery hit me and both of my legs came off,” he said.

The 21-year-old was in the trenches fighting for Ukraine when the soldiers were attacked by Russia.

He lost both legs in battle.

Sivakov chose to keep fighting. 

“I was like, ‘No I’m going to push through. I’m going to start walking again’ I need to have an active life and not just sit in one place,” he said.

Five combat soldiers from Ukraine spent the day getting fitted for prosthetic limbs in Limb Lab.

With the help of donations and community partners, it’s being done free of charge.

“For me, it’s very personally exciting to help these people because my parents and four siblings are still living in Ukraine,” Yakov Gradinar, Limb Lab market president, said.

He gets to see the impact of the prosthetic limbs in real time as the soldiers walk again for the first time in months.

“Losing a limb is like losing a family member or close friend. So for them to get that hope and get that fitting back. It’s makes big difference,” Gradinar said.

Now the soldiers are one step closer to getting their life back.

“The feeling is amazing and after sitting for four months, it feels like a child again and learning how to walk,” Sivakov said.

There’s a chance to meet the Ukrainian war heroes.
The Ukrainian-American community center in Minneapolis is hosting a fundraising dinner on August 7where people can meet and greet the soldiers.