Ukraine uses specialist drones to rescue wounded soldiers from frontline

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 04:38 · Archive

Ukraine's military has used a newly-developed StarGate drone to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield near the Russian border.

Ukraine's military has begun using specialised aerial rescue drones to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield. The newly-developed StarGate drone, a six-rotor aircraft fitted with an enclosed evacuation capsule, was first deployed in two separate missions over the past week by the 475th Separate Assault Regiment.

One rescued soldier, a 24-year-old from the 1st Territorial Defence Brigade identified by his call sign 'Izyum', was unable to walk 20km out of the combat zone after sustaining a severe foot injury. He waited two days for evacuation. The soldier told The Associated Press: 'The injury tore off half of my foot, so a lot of blood was lost already.' He added: 'I think if that incredible little bird hadn't flown in, well, getting out from there would have been unrealistic.'

Both rescued soldiers had sustained severe limb injuries and were at positions in the grey zone, approximately five kilometres from the state border with Russia, according to the regiment. The drone, which carries an orange-and-black cigar-shaped stretcher, completed the rescue flight in less than 15 minutes. The 475th regiment had tested the StarGate drone for several weeks before deploying it on the battlefield.

How it is being reported

• Wounded Ukrainian soldier's extraordinary drone rescueA badly injured Ukrainian soldier has told of his daring rescue from the frontline after a newly-developed drone swooped in and airlifted him to safety.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 03:59
• Wounded Ukrainian soldier's extraordinary drone rescueA badly injured Ukrainian soldier has told of his daring rescue from the frontline after a newly-developed drone swooped in and airlifted him to safety.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 03:58

In this story: Ukraine · Russia · 475th Separate Assault Regiment · 1st Territorial Defence Brigade · StarGate

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