Ukraine Conducts First-Ever Drone Evacuation of Wounded Soldier From Kharkiv Front

Historic Drone Rescue on the Kharkiv Front

Ukraine's military says it completed the first known aerial evacuation of an injured soldier using a drone. The rescue took place on the eastern Kharkiv front, where the wounded infantryman, known by the callsign Kostya, was stranded in a heavily mined area guarded by Russian kamikaze drones.

Soldiers from the 92nd Assault Brigade and the 30th Mechanized Brigade carried out the operation. Video of the evacuation was published by Ukraine's United24 news. In the footage, the drone locates Kostya in enemy territory. With traditional land-based rescue considered impossible, Kostya agreed to be lifted out by the UAV.

Heavy Hexacopter Used in Operation

The drone used was a heavy Gurzuf Defence hexacopter. According to reports, the platform is capable of carrying up to 130 kilograms, roughly 287 pounds, and has previously transported 90-kilogram, around 198-pound, loads over distances up to 25 kilometers, or 16 miles.

Kostya weighed 80 kilograms, about 176 pounds, and was flown 8 kilometers, which reports also describe as 11 miles, to a safer area. After being located, he clipped himself into a harness and gave the go-ahead for takeoff. The UAV operator, using the callsign Black from the 20th Mechanized Battalion, 30th Infantry Brigade, said the team remained in constant contact with Kostya throughout the flight.

Support Drones Provided Protection

Reports say a fleet of Ukrainian support drones accompanied the evacuation. The group included kamikaze drones and UAVs equipped with anti-drone nets, which were intended to protect the rescue operation from enemy interference.

When Kostya touched down in a field, the control room congratulated him and the team broke into applause. He was then taken for treatment and is now recovering. Operator Black said many people were involved in the operation and that everything worked out for the team.

Potential New Evacuation Method

Toward the end of the United24 video, brigade leader Napalm indicated that this may be the start of a new system for evacuating wounded or stranded soldiers using drone technology. The operation combined a heavy-lift hexacopter, a harness system, real-time communications and supporting drones to complete a rescue that would not have been possible by ground.

Sources: Tom's Hardware · dailymail.com · nbcnews.com