The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the crew of a MaxxPro armored vehicle carried out a heroic evacuation of four wounded infantrymen, enduring at least four hits from enemy FPV drones and mortar fire during an hour-long chase.
This incredible rescue was reported on the page of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade.
It all began when two infantrymen who had survived shelling, along with two soldiers who came to their aid, became trapped in an old dugout under enemy fire. It was clear: they would not be able to get out on their own.
The task was assigned to an evacuation team of three servicemen in an American-made MaxxPro armored vehicle.
“It was the first combat mission on it,” — recalls driver Volodymyr, callsign “Melnyk.”
The crew set out at dawn. Already on the approach, the vehicle was detected by the enemy.
“The first ‘arrival’ on us came about 400 meters from the wounded guys,” — says crew member Dmytro, callsign “Shaman.”
Reversing toward the treeline to cover the evacuation, the vehicle took its first FPV drone hit to the wheel. Despite this, the ramp was lowered, and within a minute all four wounded men were inside.
“As soon as it closed, we rushed out of there,” — adds Dmytro.
No sooner had the armored vehicle pulled away than new FPV drones swarmed it, while the location continued to be pounded by 120-mm mortars.
“We counted at least four close, loud explosions,”— says another crew member, Vitalii. He adds that the MaxxPro’s armor is reliable, and an FPV strike “sounds like a firecracker going off.”
Enemy drones pursued the vehicle for several kilometers. The last and most powerful strike occurred ten kilometers away from the evacuation point — the explosion shredded the front left wheel and damaged the frame.
“But the main thing is that the armored vehicle — riddled with shrapnel, with two damaged wheels — kept moving!” — the driver emphasizes.
The journey to the rendezvous point with the ambulance lasted nearly an hour. One of the severely wounded men screamed in pain and lost consciousness several times. The crew delivered all of them alive. Unfortunately, the severely wounded soldier had to have his foot amputated, but his life is no longer in danger.
