Veterans of the SVO have begun preparations for a unique expedition to conquer Elbrus

Preparations have begun in St. Petersburg for a unique expedition involving wounded veterans of the special military operation (SVO), who, despite the fact that they now use prosthetics for movement, intend to climb to the top of Mount Elbrus. The Izvestia correspondent assessed the military training process on April 15.

The participants of the future ascent are selected and diagnosed at the Beloostrov High Technology Clinic. Cardiologists, neurologists, traumatologists and other specialists will choose those whose bodies can withstand the load after a medical examination.

"The state of the nervous system is checked in this office. In extreme conditions, it always experiences a huge load and can fail. There is a high risk of losing consciousness on the way to the top of Mount Elbrus. In this glass booth, an analysis is underway to determine how strong and resilient the respiratory system is and whether a person is ready to climb mountains where oxygen levels are critically low," said correspondent Murad Magomedov.

One of those being tested is Siberian Dmitry Egorov, who participated in the battles for Avdiivka. Being on the front line, he came under fire during the assault. However, now, together with other heroes, SVO wants to test himself further, conquer Elbrus and learn the abilities of his body.

"Life goes on, we move on. It's real, it's possible, we need to go and do it," said Sergei Kudrin, a participant in the special operation.

The soldiers who were seriously injured during the fighting should go down in history as the first to be able to climb Elbrus in a group on prosthetics. Among them is the signalman Alexander Malov, who was blown up by a mine. Prosthetics for military veterans are being specially upgraded and adapted for the expedition.

"Adjusting the prosthesis will give us less resistance to climb and less resistance to descend. We will be much safer," said Vitaly Degtyarev, prosthetician of the lower extremities at Bionics 2.0.

Astronauts and Olympians also undergo body diagnostics on devices installed in the clinic. During the tests, doctors simulate the approximate loads that will be at the top of Mount Elbrus.

"Our task is to make sure that those who go are as confident as possible that they are able to reach the top, that their body will not let them down at the most unfortunate moment," explained Oksana Gutkina, head of the Department of functional diagnostics at the Beloostrov Clinic.

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On March 18, it was reported that more than 350 SVO veterans from 60 regions of Russia became participants in the All-Russian Defenders of the Fatherland Cup in Winter sports. Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and President of the Russian Olympic Committee, stressed that this competition was a significant step in the development of adaptive sports in the country. The Defenders of the Fatherland Cup was organized by the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, the Paralympic Committee, the Ministry of Sports and various regions.