First-Ever Drone Evacuation

The Ukrainian military is claiming a world’s first after using an unmanned drone to rescue an injured soldier on the eastern Kharkiv front. The wounded infantryman was stuck in a heavily mined area, guarded by enemy kamikaze drones.

Soldiers from the 92nd Assault Brigade and 30th Mechanized Brigade used a heavy Gurzuf Defence hexacopter to rescue the wounded infantryman from a heavily mined area.

The rescue video starts with the Ukrainian drone locating the soldier, callsign ‘Kostya,’ in enemy territory. Reports indicate he was located behind enemy lines at the mercy of kamikaze drones and in a minefield where traditional land-based rescue was not possible.

After being located, the injured infantryman clipped himself into a harness. UAV operator, callsign ‘Black’ from the 20th Mechanized Battalion, 30th Infantry Brigade, explained that they were constantly in touch with him throughout the operation.

Hexacopter Specifications and Mission Details

Ukrainian drone rescue key facts:

• Drone used: Gurzuf Defense hexacopter

• Drone capable of carrying 130kg (~287 pounds)

• Drone’s known range: it has previously transported 90kg (~198 pounds) loads up to 25km (16 miles)

• Infantryman weight: 80kg (~176 pounds)

• Rescue distance: 8km (11 miles)

• Hazards: enemy kamikaze drones, mines, gravity, many more

Being in constant touch with the operations HQ would have been reassuring. However, the surrounding presence of a fleet of Ukrainian support drones, both kamikaze devices and UAVs with anti-drone nets, provided critical operational cover.

Successful Recovery

Eventually dropping back into safer territory after an arduous journey, control confirmed the touchdown as Kostya landed safely in a field. The control room erupted into applause as he was recovered safely and moved to medical care.

UAV operator ‘Black’ was delighted with the concerted efforts that brought back the wounded soldier. This deployment may signal the beginning of a new system of personnel evacuations for stranded soldiers utilizing advanced heavy-lift drone technology.