CODE 9.2 pilots AI drone to rescue troops from Russian electronic warfare zone
The 475th Separate Assault Regiment used the StarGate drone to evacuate soldiers from a 30 km kill zone where ground rescue was impossible.
By Rohan Mehta ·
Two soldiers were airlifted out of a 30 km kill zone by a drone.
Fighters from the 475th Separate Assault Regiment, known as CODE 9.2, completed two aerial medical evacuations within one week. The unit used the StarGate drone to rescue 25-year-old Yevhen, alias Izium, and 24-year-old Artem, alias Kolobok. Both men suffered severe limb injuries and were stranded in the grey zone, about 5 km from the Russian border.
The regiment stated that ground evacuation was impossible due to difficult terrain, water obstacles, and the threat of enemy FPV drones. Aerial rescue was the only available option. The military spent a week preparing the missions in coordination with SkyFall, the drone manufacturer. Fire support and coordination with other Ukrainian defense units were required. Heavy Vampire attack drones suppressed Russian positions to protect the evacuation routes.
During one mission, the StarGate drone traveled nearly 30 km to reach the serviceman and the same distance back with the soldier on board. Russian forces actively deployed electronic warfare systems to suppress satellite navigation signals in the area. The drone’s AI-based navigation system controlled the flight, allowing the mission to succeed despite the loss of GPS signals.
The StarGate drone has a range of up to 30 km and carries a payload of up to 150 kg. For casualty evacuation, it is fitted with a medical capsule containing a stretcher. The remotely operated aircraft reaches a maximum speed of 105 km/h. Its AI systems allow it to function without GPS and against electronic warfare interference.
Oleksandr Flint Nastenko, commander of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment, said the experience will help the regiment establish a dedicated medical aviation unit. He explained that the new unit will specialize in evacuating wounded soldiers from the battlefield by air. SkyFall previously developed the StarGate drone for this purpose and handed it over to the military for frontline testing.
On October 19, the military reported another first in aerial evacuation. That operation used a drone manufactured by the Ukrainian company Gurzuf Defence to rescue a wounded soldier.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
