Cut off his foot with a canned meat knife and continued to fight. The story of a Ukrainian evacuated by drone after 491 days in position

On October 19, an unusual operation by Ukrainian servicemen became known, which in Ukraine was called the world's first evacuation of a wounded person from the front line using a heavy aerial drone.

According to the man, before the war, he worked as a driver of a huge 130-ton BelAZ at a mining and processing plant, had no military experience, and had not served in the army before. However, after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, he decided to go to the front.

Position for Long Months

On June 3, 2025, Konstantin took up a combat position in the Kupiansk direction of the front. He came to replace a serviceman who stepped on a "Petal" anti-personnel mine while going to retrieve food dropped by a drone. Vlasenko remained at the position with another soldier. Together they were supposed to hold the defense until the next rotation, but they got stuck there for many months.

However, the situation at the front was changing. Russian forces were increasing the number of reconnaissance and attack drones, and any movement in open terrain became extremely dangerous. It was not possible to replace the servicemen. Groups that tried to reach them came under attack; there were fatalities.

Death of a Comrade and Offer to Surrender

In February 2026, the situation sharply deteriorated. After a thaw, the concrete pipe was flooded, and when frost struck again, the water began to freeze. By then, both soldiers were severely weakened. According to Vlasenko, after many months underground, their muscles barely obeyed, and they had to move on all fours.

During one of the strikes, Konstantin was wounded in his left leg. It was so frozen that he did not immediately feel the extent of the injury. He could still lean on his right leg, but later, when rushing to retrieve another package among concrete debris and rebar, he dislocated it too.

From that day until October 4, 2026, there was no other Ukrainian serviceman near Konstantin.

“Brother, we know you're here. Your comrades won't help you. Heard an explosion? The next one could be for you. We don't want to kill you. Put a jar or bottle on the window, and we'll know you're ready. A white light will lead you out. Then captivity, exchange, and home,” – this message, according to Vlasenko, was repeated again and again.

He had no intention of surrendering. When the journalist asked how he managed to endure everything he had experienced, Konstantin replied:

Amputation with an Ordinary Knife

Meanwhile, Konstantin's leg condition deteriorated. Due to injuries and cold, they swelled severely, and the soldier could no longer stand on them. He had to crawl out of the shelter to retrieve food and medicine dropped by drones. As Vlasenko recalls, even fragments that remained in his body after the explosions gradually began to emerge from the wounds.

Despite the help, the condition of his legs continued to worsen. Over time, necrosis began – tissue death. In April 2026, his left foot had rotted so much that it detached itself. When bleeding began, Konstantin tied off his leg with a tourniquet, and later replaced it with a bandage.

He had no surgical instruments, only an ordinary blunt knife he used to open cans of canned meat. Vlasenko placed his leg on a brick and began to cut off the damaged foot.

After the amputation, he even tried to joke in a conversation with his commander. He said that now he no longer had flat feet or a size 44 shoe.

“I thought: My God, butterflies even came from my feet,” Vlasenko recalls and notes that he himself is surprised how he managed to avoid severe infection.

Seven Months in Solitude

According to the soldier, one of the hardest trials was solitude. He awaited each radio communication session to hear the voices of his comrades. The conversations gave him the feeling that he was not abandoned and that he was remembered.

Thoughts of his loved ones also helped him not to lose hope. During long months in solitude, Vlasenko pondered much about his life and what he hadn't managed to do. He particularly often remembered his daughter Kristina and regretted that he had not given her enough attention before. If he managed to return home, he would want to change that.

Rescue from the Air

An attempt to use a ground robotic platform also ended in failure: the Russians spotted and destroyed the apparatus.

“I already wanted no one to come for me. I was already resigned to staying there forever,” he confessed.

A conventional ground evacuation was practically impossible. Approaches to the position were controlled by Russian drones, and the roads were mined. Moreover, Konstantin was on the left bank of the Oskil River, which further complicated the task.

Preparation, according to the organizers, took about six months. It involved servicemen from several units, specialists in drones, ground robots, and electronic warfare. It was necessary not only to prepare the apparatus itself but also to figure out how to protect it from Russian attacks during the flight.

On October 4, 2026, the heavy drone arrived at the position.

Konstantin recalls that he was almost not afraid of the height itself. What worried him most was the possibility that the Russians would shoot down the drone over the river. He cannot swim and understood that after falling into the water with such injuries, he would not be able to save himself.

To cover the main drone, Ukrainian servicemen simultaneously launched other apparatuses. One of them was shot down by the Russians, but the drone carrying Konstantin was able to overcome the dangerous section, cross the Oskil, and reach the meeting point.

Currently, Konstantin is in a military hospital. He thanks the command and everyone who helped him survive and organized the evacuation.

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