Ukrainian Soldier Describes Gruesome Survival After 8 Months Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
The soldier amputated his own leg after frostbite caused his other foot to fall off, eventually being rescued by a drone.
A Ukrainian soldier, Konstantin Vlasenko, 49, has recounted his harrowing ordeal of being trapped alone for eight months on the front lines near Kup’yansk in eastern Kharkiv, Ukraine. He detailed how he was forced to amputate his own leg with a knife after his other foot had already fallen off due to frostbite.
Vlasenko, who served with Ukraine’s 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade, was initially pinned down in June of the previous year with a fellow soldier, Baski. Their position was discovered by a Russian drone on February 16, which resulted in a serious injury to Vlasenko's leg and the death of his comrade.
"I didn’t save him, and he died on his 50th birthday," Vlasenko stated in an interview with Ukrainian outlet Censor.
Unable to escape due to heavy Russian fire, Vlasenko crawled into an old cast-iron furnace for shelter. While Ukrainian forces could not reach him directly, they managed to keep him alive by dropping food, water, and medical supplies via drones.
During his isolation, Vlasenko’s left foot became severely damaged by frostbite and fell off. His right leg also sustained severe damage, prompting him to take drastic measures. "I put it on a brick, took a knife," he described. "Tears were flowing, I had to cut it off. I cut it off. And the left leg, the one with the wound, had already rotted away."
Russian forces attempted to elicit a surrender, using a loudspeaker to promise his release through a prisoner exchange. Vlasenko responded with defiance, echoing the sentiment of the defenders of Snake Island: "Russian warship, go f–k yourself."
His survival was ultimately achieved through a daring rescue mission involving a specially modified hexacopter drone. Earlier this month, the drone, originally designed as a bomber by Gurzuf Defense and adapted by the Ukrainian Army, lifted Vlasenko over 300 feet into the air and transported him 11 miles to safety under Russian fire. He had received a cell phone with instructions on how to attach himself to the aircraft.
Despite his severe injuries, including gangrene and frostbite, Vlasenko managed to secure himself to the drone. He recalled his fear during the flight, particularly over a river, worrying about being shot down and falling into the water, as he cannot swim.
His rescue marked the end of his nearly 16-month ordeal. Vlasenko is currently recovering in a Kharkiv hospital, where he faces extensive rehabilitation and the eventual fitting of prosthetic limbs. He expressed his disbelief and gratitude for his successful rescue and thanked everyone involved.