On 30/7/2025, Ukraine’s 4th National Guard Brigade released a video depicting the rescue of a soldier trapped in a wooded area near Siversk city in Donetsk province amidst intense fighting. The soldier, nicknamed "Tankist", was the sole survivor of a four-man Ukrainian unit deployed in the area.

"The enemy had him surrounded on all sides. Logistics in the Siversk front are notoriously difficult; there’s practically nothing there. Soldiers have to walk 6 to 7 km to their fighting positions," stated Lieutenant Mykola Hrytsenko, a staff officer with the 4th Brigade.

Ukrainian forces devised a plan to extract Tankist, utilizing a cargo drone to drop an electric scooter to his location. These drones, typically used to deliver explosives, can also transport goods thanks to their 18 to 22 kg payload capacity.

Hrytsenko explained that the nearly 40 kg scooter pushed the drone beyond its design limits, reducing its operational range to about 2 km. The scooter was disassembled, transported closer to the front lines, reassembled, and then delivered to Tankist via drone.

The 4th Brigade lost two drones in the attempt. The first was shot down along with the scooter, and the second crashed due to engine failure. The third attempt proved successful: Tankist received the scooter and quickly left his position.

"Everyone at headquarters was screaming and crying, as if we had just launched a plane into the sky for the first time," he recalled.

Tankist subsequently hit a mine, forcing him to abandon the scooter and continue on foot for several hundred meters until reaching Ukrainian lines. There, another drone-delivered scooter facilitated his final escape from the combat zone.

The operation cost the brigade two electric scooters, approximately 2,300 USD, and two Heavy Shot drones valued at 15,000 USD each, according to Hrytsenko.

The type of electric scooter used by Ukrainian forces in the rescue operation. Photo: Ukraine’s 4th National Guard Brigade

Small drones have been utilized for various non-combat purposes during the conflict in Ukraine, including delivering supplies and broadcasting surrender appeals to enemy soldiers.

However, this incident marks a rare instance of their use for transporting heavy objects like electric scooters. It remains uncertain whether this tactic will gain wider adoption, given the limitations highlighted during Tankist's rescue.

Pham Giang (According to Business Insider)