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Russian mountaineer Rustam Nabiev, who lost both legs in a military barracks collapse, has achieved something never done before on Mount Everest.
News18
A Russian mountaineer who lost both his legs in a military barracks collapse has achieved what many thought was impossible. Rustam Nabiev successfully climbed Mount Everest without using prosthetic legs, becoming the first double amputee to do so using only his arms.
The climber reached the summit of Everest, which stands at 8,848.86 metres, on May 20 during the 2026 spring climbing season in Nepal. His journey and emotional message after the climb have left many people inspired online.
He Climbed Using Only His Arms
Rustam Nabiev lost both his legs in 2015 after a barracks building collapsed while he was sleeping. Several soldiers died in the incident.
Despite the life-changing accident, Nabiev continued pushing himself through extreme physical challenges.
According to Everest Base Camp field office coordinator Khim Lal Gautam, Nabiev safely reached the summit and later began descending toward base camp.
Videos shared from his expedition showed him crossing the dangerous ladders of the Khumbu Icefall using only his hands. Nabiev said it took him nearly 15 hours to cross the icefall and reach Camp I, located at around 6,065 metres, as per reports.
His Mountaineering Journey Continued
After losing his legs, Nabiev first climbed Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia and Europe. He later came to Nepal in 2021 and successfully climbed Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain.
This year, he returned with a much bigger goal, climbing Everest. After reaching the summit, Nabiev shared an emotional message on Instagram.
Russian double-amputee mountaineer Rustam Nabiev has successfully scaled Mt #Everest (8848.86 m) yesterday, 20.05.2026 NPT.Rustam, who lost both legs in a military barracks collapse in 2015, has now stood atop the world’s highest mountain, achieving one of the most inspiring… pic.twitter.com/x7uRFPZGH8
— Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 21, 2026
He wrote, “On May 20th, at 8:16 AM Nepal time, for the first time in the history of mountaineering, I, Rustam Nabiev, reached the summit of Everest using only my arms! I dedicate this ascent to everyone watching me now. With this act, I simply want to say one thing: as long as there’s life left in you, fight! Please fight to the end! It’s worth it!”
Many people praised Nabiev’s determination and strength after photos and videos from the climb were shared online.
A user commented, “To think some would glibly label Rustam as disabled. Strikes me he is more enabled than most both physically and mentally. I am truly humbled and in awe of anybody that can climb to the top of the world but this achievement blows my mind. Bravo.”
After successfully summiting Mt Everest (8,848.86 m) yesterday, Russian mountaineer Rustam Nabiev shared an emotional message on Instagram:“On May 20th, at 8:16 AM Nepal time, for the first time in the history of mountaineering, I, Rustam Nabiev, reached the summit of Everest… pic.twitter.com/7HOm9QJC9n
— Everest Today (@EverestToday) May 21, 2026
Another wrote, “Wow, no words!!!”
“Congratulations to him,” another comment read.
Nabiev’s climb also comes a few years after former Gurkha soldier Hari Budha Magar reportedly became the first double amputee to climb Everest using prosthetic legs.
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