Ukrainian soldier evacuated by drone after 70 weeks stranded

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

A Ukrainian soldier was evacuated from the frontline by drone after spending more than 70 weeks stranded.

Kostiantyn Vlasenko, 49, was airlifted from Ukraine's frontline by drone on 4 October, becoming the first person to be evacuated from a war zone using this method. The volunteer fighter serving with Ukraine's 30th Mechanised Brigade had been stranded in Kharkiv oblast for more than 70 weeks, surviving on airdrops of food, cigarettes and reading material.

Vlasenko and a colleague had initially defended a position in a concrete drainage pipe near the Oskil River known as Verdun. When their location flooded, they moved to an abandoned building. The colleague was killed on 16 February while moving to a backup point, leaving Vlasenko alone in the kill zone. According to reports, he cut off his own frostbitten leg in a desperate bid to survive. The rescue required six months of preparation, coordinating helicopters, electronic warfare and artillery with the drone team on the ground.

How it is being reported

• Ukrainian soldier trapped for 8 months lost one foot from frostbite — then cut off the other to survive"I put it on a brick, took a knife," Vlasenko said. "Tears were flowing, I had to cut it off. I cut it off."New York Post · 21 Oct, 17:48
• Ukrainian soldier ‘cut off his own leg’ before miracle battlefield evacuation by drone after 70 weeks strandedKostiantyn Vlasenko said he had resigned himself to staying in that position forever after losing his legsIndependent World · 21 Oct, 14:56

In this story: Kostiantyn Vlasenko · Ukraine · Kharkiv oblast · 30th Mechanised Brigade · Kryvyi Rih · Oskil River

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