Fighter from Kryvyi Rih who self-amputated his leg evacuated by drone

The story of the world's first drone evacuation

For the first time in human history, a soldier in a desperate situation was saved using a drone. The main character of this story is Konstantyn Vlasenko from Kryvyi Rih, who voluntarily went to the front, having long begged for a draft notice. He was assigned to the "Vertun" position, which was a drainage concrete pipe converted into a shelter.

Isolation and the loss of a comrade

Initially, Konstantyn and his comrade held this sector for months. However, on 16 February, on the comrade's 50th birthday, his companion was killed. Thus, Vlasenko was left alone on the position. The opposing side knew of his presence and dropped a cassette with a recording demanding he surrender, claiming that no one would save him and that a "white drone" would come to take him home. Konstantyn responded over the radio with the phrase: «Русский военный корабль» (Russian warship) and continued to hold the position.

Injuries and self-amputation

During shelling, the fighter's left leg was shattered, and he sprained his right one. The limbs began to die. The left foot rotted off naturally, while Konstantyn cut off his right leg himself, using a knife and a brick as a stand. He recalls this moment: «Сльози текли. Треба було різати. І відрізав» (Tears were flowing. I had to cut. And I cut). After this, he even joked to his commander: «Поздоров мене - в мене більше нема плоскостопості і 44-го розміру» (Congratulate me - I no longer have flat feet and size 44).

Psychological support and waiting

When the warm season arrived, Vlasenko crawled to the place where his legs had been left and noticed that orange butterflies with black patterns were swarming there. He thought: «Я думаю: Боже, з моїх ніг ще й метелики вийшли» (I think: God, even butterflies came out of my legs). This story resembles the works of Stephen King, and it is not a metaphor: it was his wife who sent him a copy of King's book "The Outsider" in a package. Together with thoughts of his daughter Kristyna, this book helped him endure a year and a half of solitude.

Drone evacuation

Finally, an event unprecedented in any war in history occurred. A drone arrived for Konstantyn with the aim of extracting him alive. The pilot dropped an instruction manual, the drone landed and shut down its engines. Vlasenko secured himself with a carabiner, made an "okay" gesture and a heart sign to the camera, and then took off. Over the river, his only fear was that the drone would be shot down and he would fall into the water, as he cannot swim. He was covered by other drones, one of which was shot down by the enemy, but Konstantyn successfully reached his own side.

Conclusion

In total, the fighter spent 491 days on the position, losing both legs. Despite becoming the first person in history whose rescue operation was carried out using a drone, Konstantyn does not consider himself a hero. He states: «Я не люблю бути першим, мені краще бути другим» (I don't like being first, I prefer to be second). Currently, he is alive and on the ground.