Ukrainian forces rescue wounded soldier using bomber drone, electric unicycle and ground robot

Soldiers from Ukraine's 14th National Guard Brigade, known as Chervona Kalyna, have rescued a wounded soldier on the Dobropillia front using a heavy bomber drone, an electric unicycle and an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).

Source: National Guard of Ukraine

Details: It took the soldiers two days to get the wounded man to safety from an area where Russian forces could have fired at any moment on troops moving in or out. The National Guard said the operation took place in autumn 2026 but did not disclose the exact date.

The soldier, who goes by the alias Yapokha, was seriously wounded as he moved into position. A fellow soldier known as Zeus dragged him to safety, gave him first aid and stopped the bleeding. Another group of soldiers later helped move him to shelter. Yapokha had lost so much blood that he needed a blood transfusion.

Quote from a battalion commander who goes by the alias Vais: "We made a decision at the battalion command post to form a mobile heavy bomber drone group that would deliver the blood directly to the serviceman at his position."

Details: The head of intensive care in the Chervona Kalyna Brigade's medical company talked the soldiers through the transfusion over a video link.

When the first delivery of blood proved insufficient, the soldiers sent more by drone and carried out a second transfusion. The wounded soldier received more than a litre of blood in all.

Once his condition had stabilised, the soldiers began the evacuation. A heavy bomber drone delivered an electric unicycle to their position so they could move across the terrain faster than on foot.

Quote from Vais: "Having covered 2 km on the unicycle, we reached a less intense zone where a ground robotic system could be used. We travelled another 14 km on the UGV with a cover group."

Details: Soldiers from the Omega special forces unit joined this stage of the evacuation and brought in a UGV to transport the wounded man.

Zeus accompanied his wounded brother-in-arms throughout the evacuation and destroyed a Russian ambush drone along the way.

The UGV took the wounded soldier to a safe area, where he was moved onto another vehicle to continue the evacuation. The operation also involved an armoured team and a medevac vehicle.

Quote from the battalion commander: "Thanks to these combined actions, we were able to save the serviceman. He has been stabilised and evacuated, and the serviceman is alive."

Background: Ukrainska Pravda previously reported how Ukrainian soldiers used a ground robot to evacuate a wounded brother-in-arms from Kostiantynivka. Russian drones struck the first robot with the wounded man on board. The soldiers rescued him on their second attempt after switching robots and changing the evacuation route.

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