Ukraine Brigade Reports Frontline Drone Evacuation

Ukraine’s 92nd Separate Assault Brigade says it used a modified heavy drone to evacuate a wounded infantryman from a frontline position after mines and enemy drone activity made a ground rescue unsafe. The brigade described the operation as the world’s first aerial evacuation of a wounded soldier from the front line, a claim not independently established by the available accounts. The rescued soldier belongs to the 30th Mechanized Brigade. According to the 92nd Brigade, he was wounded while at his position, where ground vehicles could not safely reach him. The brigade said the soldier is receiving treatment and rehabilitation and is no longer in danger. The aircraft was a heavy hexacopter made by Ukrainian manufacturer Gurzuf Defence and normally designed for use as a bomber, the brigade said. The manufacturer supplied it free of charge. Specialists modified the drone to carry a person while remaining stable in flight, according to the unit. An operator from the 30th Mechanized Brigade piloted it during the evacuation, reports citing the brigade said. The mission involved personnel from the 92nd and 30th brigades, as well as the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 10th...