The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
“The wounded began to stand up and try to sit, blocking our view from the camera. It was difficult to control the drone,” — recalls operator of the Ground Robotic Complex (GRC) Oleksandr, callsign “Vuyko,” describing one of his most intense missions — evacuating two severely wounded infantrymen.
The incredible operation was reported on the page of the 79th Separate Assault Airborne Tavriia Brigade.
Before the war, Oleksandr worked as a household appliance repair engineer.
“I could no longer watch the guys go while I stayed behind,” — he explains his decision to join the military. He went from being a driver to a “Vampire” drone pilot and later became a GRC operator.
He recalls how, returning from a supply delivery mission, he received an order to evacuate two wounded infantrymen from the battlefield.
“They had leg injuries, and one of them was bleeding heavily,” — says “Vuyko.”
The wounded were loaded on board, but the return proved no less challenging.
“They tried to sit up, blocking our view from the camera, and at certain moments we had to navigate solely using the footage from the ‘Mavic’ that was accompanying us,” — he explains.
A real test came at a bridge damaged by aerial bombs, with only the middle portion passable.
“We decided not to risk going back — we were afraid the robot could fall into the water along with the wounded,” — says the operator.
During the evacuation, which lasted about half an hour, information came in about an enemy FPV drone.
“We hid under trees and waited until the threat passed,” — Oleksandr recounts.
“If it weren’t for the robot, we would have had to cover this distance on foot, which would have taken at least an hour or two. Under such conditions, I think the guys could have lost limbs,” — he concludes.
