Ukrainian forces have carried out their first evacuation of a wounded soldier from the front line using a heavy drone, according to the Ukrainian military’s 92nd Separate Assault Brigade.

A squad commander from the brigade’s unmanned systems company, known by the call sign Napalm, described the rescue mission as an exceptionally difficult operation.

The evacuation was conducted using a Ukrainian-made heavy hexacopter developed by Gurzuf Defence.

According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the wounded serviceman had remained alone at a frontline position for an extended period. Conventional evacuation methods were unavailable, leaving his fellow soldiers unable to bring him to safety.

Despite these difficulties, the unit maintained communication with the injured soldier and continued supplying him with food and medical equipment delivered by drones. However, repeated efforts to arrange his evacuation proved unsuccessful.

Ukrainian troops eventually turned to an unconventional solution, deploying a heavy-lift hexacopter to retrieve the stranded serviceman.

During the carefully planned operation, the aircraft successfully lifted the wounded soldier into the air and transported him away from his position.

Experts believe the operation could mark a new stage in the development of military drone technology. They expect the experience gained from this evacuation to be studied and taken into account by armed forces in other countries.