Support the recovery of injured Ukrainian photojournalist George Ivanchenkо
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The Kyiv Independent is raising $63,500 for an electronic prosthetic knee for George Ivanchenko, a 25-year-old Ukrainian photojournalist who lost his leg in a targeted Russian drone attack while reporting on the front line.
George became a freelance photographer shortly after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He has since collaborated with the Associated Press, European Pressphoto Agency, the Kyiv Independent, Libération, Reporters, and other publications.
Over the past year, as the use of first-person-view (FPV) drones has expanded in Russia’s war against Ukraine, journalists reporting from the front lines have increasingly been targeted in Russian precision strikes. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have killed at least 21 media workers on assignment – three of them in 2025.
On Oct. 3, 2025, while reporting in Donetsk Oblast, George and his colleague, French journalist Antoni Lallican, were struck by a Russian FPV drone. Antoni was killed instantly. George survived but sustained severe injuries, and doctors were forced to amputate his leg.
George underwent treatment in the cities of Dnipro and Kharkiv. In early 2026, he was admitted to Superhumans, a modern Ukrainian military trauma center in Lviv that specializes in prosthetics, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and psychological support for adults and children affected by war.
In six weeks at the center, George has learned to walk with a prosthesis with a mechanical knee joint, completed dozens of rehabilitation sessions, and even tried archery, adaptive skiing, and other activities offered by the center.
His doctors say he progressed through rehabilitation remarkably quickly. However, to live an active life and go back to field photography – something he wants the most – George needs a prosthesis with electronic components that provide much higher level of functionality.
All the electronic prosthetic modules George will need to return to a normal life cost around $80,000. Some of these components will be generously provided by the Superhumans Center. The center will also cover George’s medical treatment, prosthetic fitting, and rehabilitation for as long as necessary.
The Kyiv Independent is raising funds for the most expensive and most critical component of George’s prosthesis: the Genium X4 electronic knee module.
This advanced knee is water-resistant, adapts to the wearer’s gait in real time, helps prevent falls, and dramatically expands the user’s mobility and independence. It will help George not only to walk confidently again, but to return to the demanding work of reporting from the front line.
Support George’s recovery and help him return to the profession he risked his life for. Your contribution will bring him one step closer to reporting again.
Updates
Dear supporters,
Three months ago, nearly 1,500 of you helped raise $63,500 for Ukrainian photojournalist George Ivanchenko, who lost his leg while reporting from the front line.
Together with his colleague, French journalist Antoni Lallican, George was reporting in the east of Ukraine when a Russian FPV (first-person view) drone targeted them in October. Antoni was killed instantly.
This week, George graduates from Superhumans Center, where he is undergoing rehabilitation, with his new fully functional electronic prosthesis — all thanks to your support!
The raised funds covered the cost of Genium X4 electronic knee — the most expensive and critical component of George’s prosthesis. On May 27, George tried on his fully assembled prosthesis for the first time.
The path to this moment was not easy. Before the prosthesis could be fitted, George needed surgery to reshape his residual limb and remove an osteophyte — a bone growth that can develop after amputation. Fortunately, doctors were able to remove it without the need for reamputation, preserving the remaining length of his leg.
After recovering from surgery, George was finally able to try on his prosthesis for the first time.
Prior to this, George learned how to walk with prosthesis with a mechanical knee joint. However, electronic components provide a much higher level of functionality.
"As it turns out, it doesn't just look impressive — it's incredibly functional too. I didn't think it was possible to walk this easily. It's incredible," he told us.
George says the difference is already noticeable, and for the first time in months, he can envision what life after recovery may look like. Rehabilitation could take two to four weeks — after which George expects to return to a fully active life and to reporting.
He already has a plan for the first real test of his new mobility: a camping trip to France with his wife — both a trial run for his new knee and an overdue honeymoon. While there, he also plans to visit the family of Antoni Lallican, the journalist and his friend who did not survive the drone strike that injured George.
This campaign reminded us, once again, how powerful a community can be when it is united by shared values. George's independence, mobility, and future work — all of it is now possible thanks to the support of people like you.
Thank you for standing with George — and with all of us who work to tell Ukraine’s story.
Dear supporters,
We did it! Thanks to all of you — we have raised $63,500 for an electronic prosthetic knee for Ukrainian photojournalist George Ivanchenko.
George, 25, lost his leg in a Russian drone attack while reporting on the front line last year.
We raised the full amount in less than a week!
The funds you donated, along with the messages of encouragement you shared on social media, have already made a difference. Knowing that people around the world see him and believe in his dream of returning to field reporting may be just as important for George’s recovery as the prosthesis itself.
Our team has been in touch with George throughout the fundraiser, and we know he followed it every day and read every comment. Here’s what he shared on social media:
“I’m deeply moved by how many people are supporting me. Your support truly gives me strength during this difficult period of rehabilitation.
For me, this is not only about getting a prosthesis. It’s also about the chance to return to my work — to keep photographing and telling the stories of people in Ukraine.
Thank you to everyone who donated, shared the fundraiser, or simply sent words of support. It means more to me than I can express.”
Here’s what will happen next.
We will transfer the raised funds to Superhumans Center, which will generously contribute the remaining funds needed to purchase George’s electronic prosthesis, including the Genium X4 electronic knee — the most expensive and most critical component of George’s prosthesis.
The prosthesis is expected to arrive in Ukraine within five weeks after Superhumans receive the necessary funds. However, George recently experienced an unexpected medical setback. His doctors determined that he will need an additional surgery on his residual limb before the prosthesis can be fitted.
His recovery will take up to three months, followed by two to four weeks of rehabilitation with the new electronic prosthesis.
We will stay in touch and keep you updated on George’s progress.
This campaign once again showed us how powerful a community can be when it’s united by shared values. The Kyiv Independent couldn’t be prouder to have the support of such a community.
Thank you for standing with George — and with all of us who work to tell Ukraine’s story.
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