Russia reportedly imported approximately $158.6 million worth of prosthetic limbs in the first half of 2026, including from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium—all NATO members. The rise in imports highlights the human cost of the war in Ukraine and raises questions about Moscow’s reliance on Western products despite its confrontation with the Alliance’s member states.
According to figures reported by The Sun, Russia is believed to have imported approximately $87.9 million worth of prosthetic limbs and artificial joints from Germany in the first six months of 2026.
Other European countries also contributed to these shipments: the Netherlands reportedly exported goods worth $38.7 million, while Belgium’s exports amounted to approximately $28 million.
The value of imports from Germany is reportedly five times higher than before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia is also reportedly purchasing prosthetic products from outside the European Union, including from Asian countries.
The data drew attention in Ukraine, where officials questioned Russia’s continued purchases of medical supplies from Western countries while waging war against Ukraine, which those same countries support.
The Human and Economic Cost of War
Ukrainian authorities say that Russia’s spending on prosthetics represents only a small fraction of the far greater costs of the invasion.
According to estimates cited by The Sun, the money squandered on the war could have funded the construction of around 1,000 schools and 200 hospitals. Other calculations presented by the Ukrainian side suggest that the funds could have been used to raise pensions, expand support for families or build roughly 10,000 kilometres of motorway.