Ukraine deploys drone to airlift wounded soldier in 'world-first' operation

Ukraine's military has successfully deployed a drone to airlift a wounded soldier in what it claims is a world-first operation.

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The Ukrainian military has released footage of a drone airlift of a wounded soldier from the front line, claiming it is the world's first operation of its kind.

The 92nd Assault Brigade said a ground rescue mission was not possible due to the presence of landmines and high Russian drone activity in the area.

A 'heavy' hexacopter, piloted by a remote operator, was able to maintain stability during the 'very difficult' operation, according to the brigade.

The drone, an Ayudag-6 hexacopter, was manufactured by Gurzuf Defence and brought the wounded man to a safer position, where he was met by comrades who arranged for his onward evacuation to a hospital.

This is the first reported instance of an aerial drone being used for the purpose of evacuating a wounded soldier from the battlefield, according to the 92nd Assault Brigade.

Ukraine has long used unmanned ground vehicles to evacuate wounded soldiers, but this operation marks a significant development in the use of aerial drones in battlefield evacuations.

The operation highlights the growing role of unmanned technology in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides making extensive use of drones in the four-and-a-half-year war.