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Soldier Rescued by Drone After 491 Days Alone
24 Oct
Summary
- Soldier survived 491 days alone in a hole.
- He cut off his own leg to survive.
- A giant drone ultimately rescued him.
Kostiantyn Vlasenko, a Ukrainian soldier, endured an extraordinary ordeal for 491 days, largely isolated in a confined space. His left foot was lost due to a Russian drone attack, and he later resorted to amputating his own right leg with a knife due to severe injury.
After his position flooded in mid-February 2026, Vlasenko and his comrade moved to a school, where Vlasenko was eventually left alone. Russian drones constantly surveilled the area, making escape perilous. He received supplies via drone drops, maintaining radio contact with his command.
The possibility of rescue began to form around six months prior to his actual extraction. This plan culminated on October 4, 2026, when a specially equipped six-propeller drone lifted Vlasenko approximately 70 meters and transported him 15 km over the front lines to safety. This marked the Ukrainian military's first reported rescue of its kind.
Now recovering in a military hospital in Kharkiv, Vlasenko faces further operations and rehabilitation, including the need for artificial limbs. He expressed a deep desire to see his daughter again.
