Halfway Point, Ahead of Schedule: 48 Ukrainians Have New Prostheses

Published: August 13, 2026

Viktoria is 13 and was born with a limb difference. She loves intricate beadwork, bakes cakes to order, and is now learning to style her own hair — with a hand she received a few months ago.

She’s one of 48 people who’ve received a prosthesis through the joint initiative between Razom for Ukraine, Esper Bionics, and Ukrainian clinical partners — surpassing our original half-year target of 33 people. We’re at the equator of this program, and the pace has outrun what we planned for.

That number holds a wide range of lives. Seven of the 48 are children building their futures with new capability years ahead of them; 41 are adults returning to work, families, and routines interrupted by loss. Twenty-seven are veterans of the war; 21 are civilians whose injuries came from it in other ways. Two are living with double amputations — among the most complex cases the program takes on. Behind every one of these numbers is a story like Viktoria’s.

“I want to sincerely thank the people and organizations who care enough to support projects like this,” Viktoria’s mother says. “Because of your faith and support, our children become more confident and independent, with a real chance at an active life.”

“Our work has always been about giving people more than a prosthesis,” said Lidiia Sanyk, Country Lead UA at Esper Bionics. “We believe technology can help people regain the ability to do the things that matter to them. Every person who receives a prosthesis shows us that this idea works in real life.”

“Every person receiving a prosthesis is proof this system works — a stronger, more accessible future for Ukraine, built one person at a time,” said Iryna Gudyma, Project Manager at Razom for Ukraine. “We’re building a system of care that will keep supporting Ukrainians long after the war ends, and help make prosthetic care a standard part of recovery.”

By the end of the year, 65 people will have received their prostheses — each one pursuing what independence looks like for them.

Esper Bionics is a Ukrainian company developing advanced bionic prosthetic solutions designed to restore function, independence, and quality of life for people living with limb loss.

Razom Co-Pilot Alumni Event: A Decade of International Medical Collaboration and Future of Ukrainian Healthcare

Published: July 29, 2026

Ten years ago, the first Razom surgical mission brought together Ukrainian and international doctors for the first time. Since then, what started as a small initiative has grown into a community of medical professionals who continue to learn from each other, share knowledge, and work together to improve surgical care in Ukraine.

This June, the Razom team brought together more than 70 Ukrainian medical professionals in Kyiv — doctors, surgeons, nurses, and partners from across Ukraine — for the Co-Pilot Alumni gathering.

“Our mission is to strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare system by sharing knowledge, supporting medical education, and building strong international partnerships. Through this work, Ukrainian medical professionals gain access to global expertise, while Ukraine’s experience continues to contribute to the future of medicine worldwide,” said Yuliia Shama, Head of the Razom Health Co-Pilot project.

In Ukraine, strengthening civilian-military healthcare cooperation is essential. It requires trust, coordination, and sustained joint effort. Over the past decade, we’ve worked alongside these professionals through medical missions, training, conferences, observerships and operating rooms in both Ukraine and the United States. We have focused on improving surgical care for patients with complex war-injuries by supporting critical specialities including neurosurgery, orthopedics, facial plastic surgery, trauma, and nursing.

Today, that collaboration has evolved into something even more meaningful: a true partnership built on reciprocal learning, where knowledge flows in both directions.

“It is a ripple effect: by saving Ukraine, the world is also saving itself. The United States and international partners, especially Razom, provide Ukrainian surgeons with expertise, knowledge, and support. At the same time, Ukrainian doctors save lives every day in the most challenging conditions of war, creating unique clinical experience that will return to the global medical community through new approaches, knowledge, and standards that can help save patients around the world,” emphasized Dr. Andriy Sirko, the head of neurosurgery at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine.

Tetiana Pavlychuk, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, began working with Razom during the Face the Future mission in Ivano-Frankivsk four years ago. Since then, she has collaborated with the team on strengthening military trauma care in Ukraine. Looking back on the early days of the full-scale invasion, she reflects on how Razom and its network of American experts helped transform clinical practice and supported the development of Ukraine’s national military trauma protocol.

“When the full-scale war started, it was a huge challenge for our medical community. We had never seen these types of injuries before. We began looking for partners, and step by step, we built those relationships. Our international colleagues came to Ukraine, and we traveled to the United States for courses and training. We brought that knowledge back to Ukraine and introduced new approaches that had never existed before.” said Tetiana.

Learning from Ukrainian Leaders

The Alumni event brought together medical professionals to reconnect, exchange best practices, and discuss the future of Ukrainian surgical care. Key topics focused on training the next generation of physicians and the impact of international collaboration.The event featured presentations from Ukrainian experts, as well as specialty working sessions focused on shared challenges and future priorities. Speakers included:

Dr. Victoria Kovach – Leadership in Context
Dr. Oksana Popova – American College of Surgeons: Ukrainian Perspective
Dr. Andrii Sirko – From wartime experience to global standards: How Ukrainian and USA team are changing global standards to the treatment of brain injuries,
Dr. Yuriy Demyan – How international partnership helps save limbs in Ukraine
Dr. Tetiana Pavlychuk – Reconstructive and restorative interventions in patients with facial injuries
Natalia Ruzhylo, Deputy Medical Director for Nursing – The profession that keeps the system going: how nursing changed during the war and whether systemic changes are possible in these conditions.

From Presentations to Working Groups

While the presentations inspired participants, the specialty working groups transformed those ideas into concrete plans for the future.

Neurosurgeons discussed implementing modern endovascular and hybrid surgical techniques, developing Ukrainian clinical protocols informed by wartime experience, and strengthening military-civilian cooperation through formal referral pathways and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Orthopedic surgeons emphasized that Ukraine’s wartime experience has become one of its greatest strengths. The discussions focused on translating individual expertise into lasting system-wide improvements through standardized treatment protocols, mentoring young physicians, stronger professional associations, and better patient pathways.
The facial reconstruction working group identified workforce shortages, national treatment standards, multidisciplinary care, and improved access to rehabilitation and facial prosthetics as critical priorities for the years ahead.
Nursing leaders highlighted the urgent need for safe staffing standards, stronger legal recognition of the nursing profession, expanded educational opportunities, improved compensation, and greater professional autonomy to build a resilient healthcare workforce.

Even though each specialty faced unique challenges, every group arrived at a similar conclusion: the future of Ukrainian healthcare depends not only on clinical excellence but on building stronger systems, investing in people, and continuing to collaborate across institutions and disciplines.

“I want to highlight our Ukrainian doctors and nurses who, despite the challenges of war and limited resources, continue to grow, adapt, and find new ways to care for their patients. But what is most inspiring is the community they are building” said Iryna Matsiuk, Co-Pilot Project Coordinator.

Natalia Rhyzhylo, who spoke about the changing role of nurses in Ukraine, commented on the importance of the support Ukraine receives from the Razom community.

“As long as we have this support, we know we are not standing alone. The strength of this global community — especially our partners in the United States — gives Ukraine the ability to keep moving forward. We are stronger because we know we have people standing with us,” said Natalia Ruzhylo, Deputy Medical Director for Nursing at Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and Director of the Pre-Carpathian School of Nursing.

Measuring the Impact

Over the years, more than 300 North American medical volunteers have joined Razom Co-Pilot missions in Ukraine, more than 500 Ukrainian doctors & nurses have participated in programs, and thousands of medical professionals have gained access to training, education, and international exchange opportunities.

Feedback from the Alumni gathering demonstrated the strength of these professional relationships. More than 92% of participants established new cross-sector professional connections, and the same percentage reported having concrete plans for future collaboration. Additionally, more than 84% shared that the working group discussions closely reflected the realities of their clinical practice.

“It was a warm gathering that brought together people we have worked with for many years. It reminded me of hosting a big birthday celebration, where you get to introduce the people you appreciate most, knowing they will connect over their commitment to treating patients with war injuries.” said Alex Domaradsky, Co-Pilot Project Manager.

But the greatest achievement cannot be measured in numbers — it is the people. Ukrainian medical professionals who are now becoming educators, instructors, innovators, and leaders of change in their hospitals and professional communities. This is how lasting change happens.

Neurosurgical Mission by Razom: U.S. and Ukrainian Doctors Perform 37 Complex Surgeries

Published: July 22, 2026

Just one day after the large-scale attack on Kyiv, the medical team witnessed the aftermath of russian strikes firsthand, including the area around the Lukianivska metro station. It was the beginning of another surgical mission. Yet beyond the destroyed buildings, the American doctors saw something that inspires them to return to Ukraine time and again — the extraordinary resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Razom for Ukraine organized the international CO-PILOT NEURO neurosurgical mission, which took place on June 12–20 in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lviv. Over nine days, Ukrainian and American specialists jointly performed 37 free, high-tech surgeries for patients at four medical institutions.

Leading U.S. interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons Dr. Maxim Shapiro and Dr. Kim Nelson traveled to Ukraine to take part in the mission. Working alongside Ukrainian medical teams, they performed some of the most complex endovascular procedures while sharing their expertise directly in the operating room.

A key focus of the mission was the exchange of surgical knowledge between American and Ukrainian neurosurgeons. The program covered three cities — Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lviv — where U.S. and Ukrainian doctors worked side by side to provide care for patients with the most complex cerebrovascular conditions.

“This is what true systemic change looks like — the very change we aim to achieve by organizing our surgical missions. We receive not only support from American doctors, but also valuable knowledge that remains in Ukraine and continues to strengthen our healthcare system after each mission concludes,” said Yuliia Shama, Head of the Razom Health Co-Pilot project.

During the mission, doctors performed a wide range of complex neurointerventional procedures, including treatment of cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, venous sinus recanalization and stenting, as well as interventions for traumatic vascular injuries of the head and neck. Patients from various regions of Ukraine, including both civilian and military patients, received specialized care.

In Dnipro, the team worked at the Mechnikov Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital, where 12 complex neurointerventional procedures were performed in just three days. During the mission, doctors spent hours in operating rooms, carrying out advanced interventions while simultaneously providing continuous emergency care, including treatment for patients with ischemic stroke.

“We worked from morning until night, putting all our energy, knowledge, and inspiration into solving highly complex and unusual medical challenges. It was a true team effort, and we all worked together toward one goal — saving Ukrainian lives and improving the quality of medical care in Ukraine,” said neurosurgeon Yurii Cherednichenko.

Throughout the mission, Dr. Maxim Shapiro and Dr. Kim Nelson worked alongside Ukrainian neurosurgeons as part of CO-PILOT NEURO. This collaborative approach enabled Ukrainian specialists to gain hands-on experience with modern endovascular treatment techniques and exchange knowledge while managing complex clinical cases.

The final stage of the mission took place in Lviv, where, alongside surgical procedures, a lecture titled “Modern Aspects of Endovascular Treatment of Central Nervous System Pathologies” was held. The educational session was attended by 26 Ukrainian physicians. The training program was also organized by Razom for Ukraine, as strengthening the professional skills of Ukrainian medical workers remains one of the organization’s key priorities in supporting the country’s healthcare system.

Despite air raid alerts and new attacks, the mission continued. Teams traveling to Ukraine do not abandon their plans — they know their assistance is needed. It is the resilience and courage of Ukrainians that gives them the strength to continue.

Razom and partners launch the first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine to address drug-resistant infections in trauma care

Published: July 8, 2026

Razom for Ukraine, a leading U.S.-based nonprofit organization focusing on Ukraine, has officially launched Infection Prevention project TDAC (Trauma Decontamination and Antimicrobial Resistance Containment), also known as Operation Wallaby. The first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine focused on reducing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria that can no longer be treated with standard antibiotics (multidrug-resistant organisms, or MDROs). The goal is to improve outcomes for wounded patients and reduce severe, life-threatening infection complications.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, with advocacy from frontline clinicians involved in pre-hospital care. It targets a critical gap in the route from the frontline to the hospital — preventing bacteria from spreading during handoffs between care teams before a patient ever reaches a hospital ward.

Why this matters for Ukraine and beyond

Wounded patients rarely go directly to a hospital. Along the way, they pass through multiple points of care — and each transfer can increase exposure to drug-resistant bacteria. These infections can severely complicate recovery and become life-threatening.

The scale of this risk is compounded by the length of Ukraine’s evacuation chains. Infection risk rises significantly at the end of a prolonged trauma evacuation pathway, with considerable regional variation, according to research by Hailie Uren published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025). The longer a wounded patient remains in transit, the greater the opportunity for infection to take hold.

This is no longer solely a Ukrainian health challenge. As wounded patients are evacuated to hospitals across Europe for specialized care, drug-resistant bacteria travel with them — placing pressure on health systems far beyond the frontline. European hospitals are already encountering these infections among war-wounded patients, making early intervention an urgent international priority.

“Antimicrobial resistance could cost as many lives as cancer by 2050, according to the UK Government’s Review. Resistant bacteria do not stop at the Ukrainian border. It is an early warning for every health system worldwide. That is why launching the Infection Prevention Project is so important,” said Dan Solchanyk, Razom Health Program Director .

How it works

Ukrainian scientists and clinicians, led by Hailie Uren, are working alongside clinical partners to investigate where and how drug-resistant bacteria enter the evacuation chain. Based on this work, Ukraine will introduce standardized practices focused on early decontamination and stopping bacteria from spreading between handoffs.

The project unfolds in three stages. The team is currently screening war-wounded patients across the evacuation chain — from casualty collection points through forward surgical units (Role 2) and hospitals (Role 3) — mapping where bacterial contamination occurs. Later in 2026, those findings will guide the creation of dedicated decontamination units to stop bacteria from entering clinical environments. By 2027, the full programme will be rolled out based on the evidence gathered.

“With a high proportion of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) not responsive to last-line antibiotics among war-wounded patients, early intervention through this project is critical to preventing infection before patients reach a hospital,” said Hailie Uren, Project Lead and Principal Investigator from Razom and UPHC.

The approach is grounded in U.S. military medicine and informed by expert consultation, adapted to prolonged evacuation chains and wartime conditions in Ukraine.

Stopping infections early reduces the need to prescribe antibiotics without knowing which bacteria are present (broad-spectrum empirical use) — helping slow the development of antimicrobial resistance and protecting the wider health system.

For more information, please contact anna.hryniv@razomforukraine.org

7th Face the Future Mission by Razom: How world-class surgeons rebuild Ukrainians’ faces after trauma

Published: July 7, 2026

In May 2026, Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the seventh international medical mission “Face the Future,” organized by Razom for Ukraine. Surgeons from Canada, the United States, and Ukraine carried out 68 surgical procedures on 24 patients with severe facial injuries.

At the center of every mission is a person — and a very personal dream. For Andrii from Ivano-Frankivsk, it was simply being able to breathe again. For Roman from Khotyn, it was restoring his facial structure after captivity. For Mykhailo from Stryi it was removing a scar and correcting a nose fractured in an FPV drone strike.

Different stories, but one shared path to recovery. All three were among 24 patients treated in Ivano-Frankivsk during the seventh “Face the Future” mission organized by Razom for Ukraine.

Dozens of surgeries in just a few days

From May 3 to 8, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital became a center of intensive surgical work. Teams from Canada, the United States, and Ukraine performed 68 surgical procedures on patients with severe facial trauma — both military and civilian.

“This time, 13 specialists from North America joined Ukrainian colleagues. The team included six surgeons and seven nurses from Canada and the United States, five of whom have Ukrainian roots,” said Peter Adamson, President and Founder, Face the Future Foundation.

Razom as a core partner of the mission

Beyond the operating room, Razom plays a key role in making the mission possible. The organization handles logistics, coordination, and part of the medical supplies, allowing doctors to focus entirely on patient care.

“Razom is a bridge between North America and Ukraine. We take care of all on-site coordination — logistics, organization, and communication with the hospital. This allows doctors to focus on patients and reduces the burden on the hospital,” said Iryna Matsiuk, Razom Coordinator in Ukraine.

This was also confirmed by Natalia Komashko, the Ukrainian lead of the mission and an otolaryngologist:

“I am especially proud of our Ukrainian team, whose work begins long before the international teams arrive and continues long after they leave. We are sincerely grateful to Razom for Ukraine – not only for helping bring expert teams to Ukraine, but also for providing essential medical supplies that significantly strengthen our hospital’s capacity to deliver care”

Partnership that restores quality of life

These missions are made possible through close cooperation between doctors, bioengineers, and volunteers working toward one shared goal — restoring function and quality of life for patients in even the most complex cases.

The program is implemented by Razom for Ukraine, Face the Future Foundation, Still Strong, and the Charitable Foundation “Patients of Ukraine,” in partnership with the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and with support from Materialise.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone involved. They are doing important work and providing real support, and I am thankful that such help and missions exist,” said patient Mykhailo Vovchyna.

How international missions transform Ukrainian surgery

While the types of injuries remain largely similar from mission to mission, the capacity of Ukrainian medical teams continues to grow significantly. This was emphasized by Anthony Brissett, a U.S. surgeon and medical director of the Face the Future mission, who has taken part in the program four times.

“Doctors and nurses are becoming better prepared and expanding their skills. This is reflected in the complex procedures we performed this week, including cases involving leading international experts in nasal reconstruction. This is the level of care Ukrainians deserve,” he said.

The mission is part of a broader long-term effort that goes beyond individual operations. It is not only about treating patients with the most severe injuries, but also about strengthening surgical capacity in Ukraine. Ukrainian doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses work side by side with international teams, gaining experience and taking on increasingly complex cases. According to Razom Health Co-Pilot Project Lead Yuliia Shama:

“Over the past 3 years, Razom’s medical missions have helped provide life-changing surgeries to more than a thousand patients with complex injuries. Through the Co-Pilot Project, we are strengthening Ukraine’s long-term surgical capacity by training specialized surgeons, expanding international partnerships, and advancing modern reconstructive care so that critical expertise remains and grows in Ukraine.”

Training and knowledge exchange

Alongside the procedures, more than 200 nursing leaders from across Ukraine gathered for the VII International Nursing Symposium. Half of the presentations were delivered by international speakers, and half by Ukrainian nursing professionals. The symposium was supported by Razom for Ukraine, marking an important step in strengthening nursing education and professional development in Ukraine. The hospital also received simulation trainers for hands-on training, provided by Razom.

In addition, the VII Symposium on Reconstructive Surgery of the Head and Neck was held in Ivano-Frankivsk as part of the Face the Future Ukraine mission. A key highlight was the visit of Frederick J. Menick, one of the world’s leading experts in nasal reconstruction. He delivered lectures and hands-on sessions, sharing advanced approaches to complex reconstruction and clinical decision-making in surgery.

The humanitarian program “Face the Future Ukraine” was founded by Face the Future Foundation, Razom for Ukraine, and Still Strong to provide free reconstructive surgeries to Ukrainian patients and train Ukrainian surgeons. It is implemented in partnership with the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Healing The Children North East, Materialise, the CF “Patients of Ukraine”