For the first time in the world, a group of veterans of the SVO on prosthetic legs climbed Mount Elbrus Peak

Six veterans of the special operation on prosthetic legs made an ascent to the peak of Elbrus at an altitude of 5642 m above sea level. The participants of the group ascent, which took place for the first time in history thanks to the "Time of the Strong" project, organized by the My Medical Center Group of Companies and the Bionics 2.0 prosthetics center, shared their emotions and talked about the preparation process.

"Thank you so much for pulling me out, motivating and training me. This is a very interesting and rewarding experience. Thanks to our doctors and guides! And thank you very much to everyone involved in the project!" said Denis Shane-Mitrofanov, one of the six participants in the ascent, a veteran of the SVO.

According to Alexander Fokin, the doctor of the climbing team, Deputy Chief Physician for Physical and Rehabilitation medicine at the Sports Medical Clinic, the specialists not only had to prepare the participants for the high altitude, but also to increase their physical capabilities and unlock the body's reserves. This was achieved thanks to a unique medical program developed by doctors and specialists of the My Medical Center Group of Companies.

"It was important to inspire, to instill confidence that with the help of modern technologies in rehabilitation and prosthetics, the support of a team of professionals and people close in spirit, the impossible can become possible," he said.

Today, all conditions have been created in the Russian Federation for the organization of high-quality prosthetics for people who have lost limbs in a war zone. Thus, they are provided with certificates for prosthetics after amputation in any of hundreds of special centers in different regions of Russia. There are no analogues of this approach based on high social responsibility and the principles of healthy competition in any other country in the world.

"Our work is based on a personalized approach that takes into account a person's lifestyle, hobbies and aspirations, physical and psychological characteristics. Upgrading, adjusting and adapting prosthetics to the extreme conditions of the highlands has become a real professional challenge for us. And we did it!" said Vitaly Degtyarev, a leading prosthetist at Bionics 2.0.

The "Time of the Strong" project, which was implemented by the My Medical Center Group of Companies and the Bionics 2.0 Prosthetics Center, was supported by the Defenders of the Fatherland State Foundation, KAVKAZ JSC.Russian Federation" and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia. The Elbrus high-altitude search and Rescue team of the Ministry of Emergency Situations provided assistance in accompanying the world's first group ascent of veterans of the Russian Military on prosthetic legs to the western peak of Elbrus.

As emphasized by Anna Tsivileva, State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation, the organization supports veterans of their military in their quest to find themselves after returning home.

"Despite their severe injuries and disabilities, they remain active members of society and support for their families, and benefit their homeland. The heroes learn new specialties, go to work, and actively engage in patriotic education of children and youth, as well as sports. Climbing Elbrus once again shows that nothing is impossible for them," said Tsivileva.

The Time of the Strong project was launched in April 2025, on the eve of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. The participants, veterans of their military education from different regions of Russia, underwent a multi—stage selection, functional training, a training stage, trial acclimatization trips in the mountains, and individual therapy in leading Russian medical organizations: The high-tech clinic "Beloostrov" in the Leningrad region, the "Sports Medical Clinic" in Sochi, the sanatorium "White Nights" in St. Petersburg, as well as prosthetics at the Bionics 2.0 center.

Mountainous character: how veterans of the Russian Military are preparing to conquer Elbrus on prosthetics

The diagnosis and selection of project participants will take place before the end of April.

Earlier, on July 1, it was reported that a group of veterans of the special military operation (SVO) will be accompanied by medical specialists along the entire route while climbing to the top of Mount Elbrus. It was noted that the safety and health of the fighters remain a priority.

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