Ukrainian soldiers have evacuated an elderly woman from the “grey zone” using an unmanned ground robot, the Third Army Corps reports.
Ukraine is also developing heavy multicopter drones capable of evacuating the wounded, repurposing platforms previously used for logistics and combat. These systems are becoming an alternative to traditional evacuation in areas saturated with enemy drones, where ground evacuation is often impossible.
The operation lasted four hours, with the robot moving under constant threat of shelling to extract the civilian from a dangerous frontline area.
Drone drives under fire to rescue 77-year-old woman
In the Lyman area, drone operators from the 60th Brigade spotted a woman walking along a road surrounded by craters and bodies of the dead.
This is a combat zone in eastern Ukraine, encompassing the northern part of Donetsk Oblast and adjacent areas of Luhansk and Kharkiv oblasts.
This direction is a strategic junction, affecting logistics and the defense of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
The rescue mission was carried out by the “Cerberus” unmanned ground systems unit. To avoid frightening her, operators placed a blanket on the platform and left a message: “Grandma, get on!”
The woman trusted them, climbed onto the robot, and was transported to safety, where Ukrainian soldiers received her.
Evacuation in modern war is changing as robots and drones replace humans under fire
The Third Corps also reported that three more civilians were guided to evacuation points by drones.
The rescued woman is 77 years old and has lived in her home for 53 years, which was destroyed by Russian forces.
Previously, a Ukrainian combat robot equipped with a Browning 12.7 mm heavy machine gun held an infantry position alone for 1.5 months. It features a remotely controlled turret with a 300-round capacity, enabling precise target engagement even under difficult conditions.
Russian forces were unable to breach the defensive line, as they were continuously under fire from the system.
