Ukrainian Soldier Rescued by Drone After 491 Days in Russian Fire
Kostiantyn Vlasenko amputated his own legs after becoming trapped behind enemy lines and was later evacuated in a historic drone mission.
Kostiantyn Vlasenko, a Ukrainian infantryman, endured 491 days in combat before becoming the first soldier to be evacuated from a battlefield by a drone. Vlasenko was forced to amputate his own right leg with a knife after losing his left leg to frostbite. He had been alone for 231 days, hiding in an abandoned school in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine.
His ordeal began when he and his comrade, callsign 'Baski,' sought refuge in a concrete drainage pipe after their initial hiding spot flooded. However, Russian drones saturated the area, making escape impossible. On Baski's 50th birthday, a Russian drone attacked, killing Baski and severely injuring Vlasenko.
After months of isolation and enduring extreme conditions, including frostbite and shrapnel wounds, Vlasenko's left foot developed necrosis and eventually detached. The following month, his right leg became gangrenous and had to be amputated. He described the harrowing experience of using a brick and a knife to perform the surgery on himself.
Throughout his time in hiding, Vlasenko's comrades supplied him with food and medicine via drone. He also received care packages from his wife, including a Stephen King novel. Despite his dire situation, he continued to provide intelligence on enemy movements.
The rescue operation was meticulously planned. A modified bomber drone, supplied with instructions via a phone containing video guidance, was sent to Vlasenko's position. On October 4, the drone landed, and Vlasenko strapped himself to its underbelly. The drone then transported him 11 miles to safety, escorted by a fleet of three Vampire drones to defend against Russian forces.
Now recovering in a hospital, Vlasenko, 49, expressed his profound gratitude for the mission, calling it a miracle. He recounted growing up in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, and working as a truck driver before enlisting in the army after the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. He expressed discomfort with being the first soldier to undergo such an evacuation, preferring to remain anonymous.
Vlasenko's story highlights the extreme challenges faced by soldiers on the front lines and showcases innovative military tactics employed in the ongoing conflict.