Overview

• The Rubizh 4th Brigade used FPV drones to carry an 88-lb electric bike to a trapped soldier near Siversk, pushing drone payload limits and reducing its range to about 2 km.
• The first drone was shot down and the second suffered a motor burnout before a third craft successfully lowered the assembled bike via a winch.
• The wounded soldier cycled roughly 400 m before triggering a land mine and then limped to safety where a second drone-delivered bike enabled his full extraction.
• Donated equipment losses included two e-bikes (about $100,000) and two HeavyShot drones (around $15,000 each), underscoring the high cost of the rescue.
• While showcasing an innovative logistics approach under fire, the steep resource requirements raise questions about the tactic’s broader viability