In Ukraine’s most challenging times, hope is being rebuilt – one person, one prosthetic, one breakthrough at a time. Supported by the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO)’s charity Future Ukraine, the Superhumans Centre continues to stand at the forefront of medical innovation and human resilience.
Pioneering New Frontiers in Medical Innovation
In 2025,, Superhumans expanded its world-class rehabilitation services to include hearing restoration and trials for finger prosthetics. Alongside reconstructive surgeries for faces, limbs, and amputations, the centre’s specialists also introduced Ukraine’s most advanced electronic knees – among the most sophisticated prosthetics available globally. Only released in 2024, these devices are transforming mobility and independence for patients.
Superhumans leads Ukraine in 3D-printed prosthetic technology, producing lightweight carbon fibre limbs faster and more affordably than ever before. Every design is personalised – even down to prosthetic feet made for women’s heels – with over 80% of patients discharged 6 months prior using their prosthetics for more than three hours daily, a key measure of comfort and functionality.
Revolutionising Medical Evacuation and Rehabilitation
Another groundbreaking development in 2025was the new national standard for medical evacuation, pioneered by Superhumans. Instead of transporting wounded soldiers to the nearest hospital, evacuation teams now move them directly from the frontline to specialist facilities like Superhumans, where advanced limb-saving surgery and infection control begin immediately.
Over 100 patients have already been evacuated directly through this system to a Superhumans centre, a model now formally endorsed by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers. Superhumans currently has two specialised evacuation teams in operation, and fundraising continues for an additional dedicated medical helicopter, which would dramatically improve the golden-hour window for life-saving and limb-saving treatment.
With frontline evacuations and emergency response capacity in mind, the newest Superhumans centre opened in June 2024 in Dnipro, with a centre in Odesa to follow.
Healing Beyond the Physical
Superhumans is built on a multidisciplinary philosophy – every patient is the Director of their rehabilitation journey, supported by a full team of surgeons, prosthetists, as well as occupational, physical, and mental health therapists. The patient is the leader of their recovery journey, guided toward independence, not dependence.
Rehabilitation extends into every aspect of life: from learning to cook in an adapted kitchen, to reskilling, accessing legal and career support, and peer-to-peer programs where former patients mentor new arrivals. Social reintegration – through sport, art, and community – is regarded as vital to recovery.
Stories of Strength: Maksym and Eddy
Maksym, 43, from Rivne, is a veteran from Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. In August 2024, while rescuing injured comrades in the Luhansk region, lost both legs after coming under heavy enemy fire. After two hospitals and a long journey, Maksym arrived at the Superhumans centre in Lviv. Over a year of therapy, he has gone from first fittings to walking confidently on mechanical knees.
Maksym’s goal is simple but powerful: to return to his active and outdoors lifestyle. Maksym loves fishing, hunting, skiing, mushroom picking, archery and hockey. With the support of his team at Superhumans, he has already attempted adjusted sports like hockey, and has successfully remastered archery.
Eddy, 29, from England, is a sailor turned humanitarian worker, who courageously left his successful career on the seas to head the call of Ukraine’s defence. While conducting a mission in Pokrovsk in January this year, Eddy’s vehicle suffered a direct hit, resulting in the loss of his left arm and leg. His recovery at Superhumans has inspired him to advocate for accessibility and disability rights in Ukraine, home to more than 86,000 amputees.
Meeting with figures such as ex Australian Prime Minister Bill Shorten, who introduced the NDIS scheme, and Prince Harry during the Invictus Games, Eddy shares a clear message:
“The way a country treats its veterans, especially those injured and disabled, is a testament to that country. While Ukrainians have that respect, the infrastructure is lagging behind and requires reform with direct participation from disabled people.”
Building the Future Together
Superhumans is not just a medical facility – it is a movement for dignity, inclusion, and innovation. Every prosthetic, every surgery, every story like Maksym’s and Eddy’s is made possible by global support. In fact, Superhumans doesn’t feel like a hospital at all. The patients and staff have cultivated a welcoming, humorous and community atmosphere, focused not only on physical rehabilitation, but mental and social. Many of the patients report that they have accomplished many feats that they never even thought possible when they were able-bodied.
Through Future Ukraine, the AFUO continues to raise funds to ensure Superhumans can expand its life-changing work – from new rehabilitation centres to advanced prosthetic technology and the critical development of evacuation teams.
Your donations help Ukraine’s heroes reclaim their independence and their futures.
Support Superhumans, donate today: futureukraine.org.au/projects/superhumans
By Isabelle Liddy
