Ukrainian soldiers use drone-delivered unicycle to evacuate wounded comrade
A brigade on the Dobropillia front combined heavy drones, a UGV, and an electric unicycle to save a soldier who lost over one liter of blood.
By Leila Reynolds ·
More than one liter of blood was delivered by heavy bomber drones to a wounded Ukrainian soldier trapped in hostile territory near Dobropillia.
The rescue operation took place over two days in autumn 2026. Soldiers from the 14th National Guard Brigade, which goes by the nickname Chervona Kalyna, executed the mission under constant threat from Russian forces. The National Guard of Ukraine confirmed the operation but did not provide a specific calendar date.
The injured soldier, known by the alias Yapokha, was badly wounded while advancing into a defensive position. A comrade named Zeus dragged him to safety, applied first aid, and stopped the bleeding. A separate team helped move him to shelter. Yapokha required a blood transfusion to survive.
Battalion commander Vais said the battalion command post formed a mobile heavy bomber drone group to deliver blood directly to the soldier’s position. The head of intensive care for the brigade’s medical company guided the team through the procedure over a video link. The first delivery was not enough, so the team sent additional drones for a second transfusion.
To move the soldier across difficult terrain, a heavy bomber drone dropped an electric unicycle at the soldiers’ location. Vais said the team covered two kilometers on the unicycle to reach a zone with less intense fighting. From there, they traveled another 14 kilometers on an unmanned ground vehicle with a cover group.
Soldiers from the Omega special forces unit joined the effort and provided the unmanned ground vehicle. Zeus stayed with the injured soldier during the evacuation and destroyed a Russian ambush drone that targeted the group. An armored team and a dedicated medical evacuation vehicle were also part of the operation.
The unmanned ground vehicle carried the soldier to a safe area, where he was transferred to another vehicle. Vais stated that the combined actions saved the serviceman, who has been stabilized and evacuated.
