Ukraine rescues wounded soldier using drone in daring 'world's first' UAV evacuation of a human

The Ukrainian military has accomplished a historic feat by rescuing an injured soldier via an unmanned drone on the eastern Kharkiv front. United24 news released footage of this unprecedented event, which involved the use of a heavy Gurzuf Defence hexacopter to evacuate the wounded infantryman, dubbed 'Kostya,' from a battlefield fraught with dangers.

October 19, 2026 marked the date of this remarkable operation. Kostya was situated approximately 11 miles (18km) behind enemy lines, ensnared in a minefield, with Russian kamikaze drones constantly monitoring the area. This scenario rendered conventional rescue methods impractical. Consequently, the injured soldier bravely consented to participate in an initial 'human drone-lift rescue plan.'

Post-location, Kostya was strapped into a harness and exclaimed, "That's it, we can take off," upon securing himself in the rudimentary harness. A Ukrainian drone operator, designated 'Black' from the 20th Mechanized Battalion of the 30th Infantry Brigade, controlled the UAV. The operator reassured the control room with constant communication, noting that they were always in contact with Kostya.

The drone rescue was no simple task; the rescue distance of 8km (11 miles) and the hazards such as enemy kamikaze drones, mines, gravity, and more were daunting. Despite these challenges, the drone successfully transported Kostya back to safe territory, eliciting applause from the control room crew. Kostya, currently in recovery, is being treated after enduring this arduous journey.

The Ukrainian military operator 'Black' expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts that ensured the soldier's return. More importantly, this incident may herald a new standard for personnel evacuations of wounded or stranded soldiers, leveraging drone technology.