Ukrainian Regiment Uses StarGate Drone to Extract Wounded Troops

Fighters from the 475th Separate Assault Regiment, known by the callsign CODE 9.2, used a specialized drone to pull two wounded soldiers from the front lines last week. The unit employed the StarGate aircraft, a machine built specifically for aerial medical evacuation, to extract troops from areas where ground transport was too dangerous.

The two soldiers were Yevhen, who goes by the alias Izium, and Artem, known as Kolobok. They are 25 and 24 years old, respectively. Both suffered severe limb injuries while positioned in what the military calls the grey zone. This area sits roughly five kilometers from the Russian border. The unit stated that rough terrain, water obstacles, and the threat of enemy FPV drones made it impossible to move the men by land. Air evacuation was the only viable option.

Preparing for these missions took a full week. The regiment worked with SkyFall, the manufacturer of the StarGate drone, to coordinate the logistics. The operations required fire support and coordination with other branches of the Ukrainian defense forces. Heavy Vampire attack drones were deployed to suppress Russian positions and create a safe window for the evacuation flights.

The flight distances were substantial. During one mission, the StarGate traveled nearly 30 kilometers to reach the soldier and flew the same distance back with the patient on board. Russian forces actively deployed electronic warfare systems in the area. Their goal was to suppress satellite navigation signals to disrupt the drone's path.

The StarGate did not rely on standard GPS for this operation. It uses an AI-based navigation system that allows it to function without satellite signals. This technology enabled the drone to complete the rescue despite the heavy electronic interference. The aircraft has a maximum range of 30 kilometers and can carry a payload of up to 150 kilograms. For medical missions, it is fitted with a dedicated capsule containing a stretcher. It flies at a top speed of 105 kilometers per hour and is remotely operated.

Oleksandr Nastenko, who commands the 475th Separate Assault Regiment under the name Flint, said the experience will help the unit create a dedicated medical aviation team. He explained that this new group will specialize in evacuating wounded soldiers by air. SkyFall previously handed the drone to the military for frontline testing.

Another aerial evacuation took place on October 19. In that separate operation, the military used a drone made by Gurzuf Defence to pull a wounded soldier from the battlefield. That was the first reported use of an aerial drone for this specific purpose.