Ukraine Claims World’s First Frontline Air Evacuation Using Heavy Drone to Save Soldier, Video

Ukraine’s 92nd Assault Brigade announced on October 19 that Ukrainian forces had evacuated a wounded soldier from the front line using a heavy aerial drone, calling it the world’s first such operation.

The brigade’s Unmanned Ground Systems Company reported the mission on its official Telegram channel the same day. The evacuation involved personnel from the 92nd Assault Brigade, 30th Mechanized Brigade, 14th Mechanized Brigade, 10th Army Corps, and Ukrainian manufacturer Gurzuf Defence.

“This is a historic event, at least for our unit,” stated Napalm, a squad commander and programmer with the 92nd Brigade’s unmanned ground systems company.

The wounded infantryman from the 30th Mechanized Brigade was unable to leave his position using conventional unmanned ground vehicles. The unit attributed this to intense Russian drone activity and heavily mined terrain.

The soldiers instead adapted a Ukrainian-made Gurzuf Defence heavy hexacopter, originally configured as a bomber, to carry the wounded serviceman. Gurzuf Defence provided the drone free of charge for the operation.

Specialists from the 92nd Brigade worked with the manufacturer to modify the aircraft and maintain stability while carrying a person. They also conducted preliminary tests at Gurzuf Defence facilities before planning the mission with other participating units.

A drone operator from the 30th Mechanized Brigade piloted the aircraft during the evacuation. The mission succeeded, and the wounded serviceman is now undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, with his life no longer in danger, according to the unit.

The evacuation highlights a broader Ukrainian effort to use unmanned systems for missions traditionally performed by personnel and ground vehicles. Such platforms can reduce exposure when mines, artillery, and persistent drone surveillance make conventional casualty evacuation especially dangerous.

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The rescue came days after Ukraine began front-line testing of StarGate, a purpose-built aerial evacuation drone developed by defense company SkyFall at the request of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment.

The aircraft carries up to 150 kilograms on a medical-grade stretcher and has a one-way range of 15 kilometers, enough to reach troops inside drone-saturated kill zones. Each system is expected to cost at least $50,000, with production targeted at up to 1,000 units per month by the end of 2026.

Ground robots have so far handled much of this work, with machines operated by the Third Army Corps evacuating more than 600 wounded soldiers during their first year of operations.

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