Ukrainian military uses heavy drone to evacuate wounded soldier from frontline

Ukrainian armed forces have carried out what they state is the first frontline evacuation of a wounded soldier using a heavy drone, Silicon UK and UNITED24 Media reported. Footage shared by the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade shows an unidentified infantryman strapping himself into a heavy-lift hexacopter drone before being flown across terrain at a low altitude. [1][3]

The soldier suffered injuries at his position and could not be rescued through conventional ground routes due to intense enemy drone activity and surrounding landmines, Silicon UK said. Specialist units within the brigade deployed the drone to fly the soldier out, with the drone operator telling the infantryman, welcome back to the ground, after he was safely set down. [1]

Other military outlets including MiGFlug, The SOFX Report, and Dronelife also documented the aerial rescue operation. The SOFX Report described the aircraft used for the evacuation as a heavy bomber drone modified for transport. [2][4][5]