# Ukrainian soldier rescued by drone after 491 days in Russian kill zone

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-story-no-hollywood-scriptwriter-could-make-up-he-spent-491-days-stranded-in-the-kill-zone-under-russian-fire-and-had-to-amputate-one-of-his-legs-then-he-became-the-first-soldier-ever-evacuated/
- Published: 2026-10-21T23:09:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T23:23:27+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16227957/bravest-man-Ukrainian-fighter-amputate-leg-drone.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Entertainment, Europe, Film, World

## Key points

- A drone carried wounded Ukrainian soldier Kostiantyn Vlasenko to safety.
- He had spent 491 days in the frontline kill zone.
- Three drones provided cover; one was lost.

## Summary

Ukrainian soldier Kostiantyn Vlasenko was evacuated from a frontline position by a drone after spending 491 days in the kill zone, including 231 days alone in an abandoned school. The operation on 4 October used a modified bomber drone to carry him to safety, marking what the article describes as the first aerial drone evacuation of a wounded soldier.

Vlasenko, 49, had lost his left leg to frostbite and amputated his injured right leg with a blunt knife. His comrade, known by the callsign Baski, was killed in a Russian drone strike, leaving Vlasenko isolated and badly wounded. The rescue drone flew him about 11 miles, while three other drones provided cover; one was shot down.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.