How did the MAUL drone rescue the wounded Ukrainian soldier?

The MAUL ground drone, developed by Ukraine's First Separate Medical Battalion, was able to reach the soldier's location, which was in a heavily mined and drone-filled "kill zone", and safely evacuate him to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

What challenges did the MAUL drone face during the rescue mission?

The MAUL drone had to navigate through a dangerous area with a high density of enemy drones, numerous mines, and drones lying in ambush, all while under constant aerial surveillance. It even struck an anti-personnel mine during the mission but remained operational.

How long was the wounded Ukrainian soldier trapped behind enemy lines?

The soldier was trapped in no-man's land for 33 days before being rescued by the MAUL drone.

Home / War and Conflict / Armored Drone Rescues Wounded Ukrainian Soldier After 33 Days in No-Man's Land

Armored Drone Rescues Wounded Ukrainian Soldier After 33 Days in No-Man's Land

17 Nov

•

Summary

Wounded Ukrainian soldier trapped for 33 days behind enemy lines
Dramatic 6-hour rescue mission by unmanned armored vehicle
Soldier's location known, but previous 6 rescue attempts failed
Armored drone withstood mines, drones, and bombs to reach and evacuate the soldier

Armored Drone Rescues Wounded Ukrainian Soldier After 33 Days in No-Man's Land

On November 17, 2025, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded as a wounded Ukrainian soldier, trapped for 33 days in no-man's land, was finally brought to safety by an armored drone vehicle. The soldier had been cut off from his comrades after a landmine shattered his foot, with only a tourniquet keeping him alive.

Despite six previous failed attempts to reach the soldier, his comrades refused to give up. On their seventh try, they sent an unmanned ground vehicle over 40 miles into Russian-controlled territory to bring him home. The tense five-hour-and-58-minute mission was a success, even as Russian bombs detonated around the robotic capsule containing the soldier.