In October 2026, Ukrainian forces for the first time evacuated a wounded soldier from the front line using the heavy-lift drone Heavy Shot “Ayudag-6.” The drone lifted the fighter into the air and carried him to a point where a ground robot continued the evacuation. Shortly afterward, StarGate — a specialized evacuation UAV with a medical capsule — began to be used for similar missions.
The emergence of such systems is linked to changes on the battlefield. Russian FPV drones control roads and approaches to positions, while minefields, water obstacles, and difficult terrain complicate ground evacuation. In some cases, soldiers have been forced to wait for assistance for weeks or even months.
Heavy multicopters make it possible to traverse dangerous areas by air. However, to transport a person, a drone must not only lift a significant load but also maintain stability, operate under electronic warfare (EW) conditions, and ensure a safe landing.
We examine which evacuation UAVs are already being used in Ukraine, how they work, and what limits their capabilities.
From Cargo Drones to Human Evacuation
Initially, heavy multicopters were used primarily for dropping munitions, and later for delivering food, water, medicine, and equipment.
Gradually, the payload capacity of drones grew thanks to more powerful motors, larger propellers, and stronger airframes. Platforms capable of carrying more than 100 kg emerged, creating the technical foundation for human evacuation.
As early as 2024, the Brave1 defense cluster, together with the military, began formulating requirements for such systems. According to data from the Ministry of Defense, evacuation UAVs must reliably transport at least 130 kg over a distance of at least 15 km, and must have no fewer than three alternative communication channel types to operate under EW conditions.
Additionally, the use of lidar, optical stabilization, and GPS-independent navigation was considered.
Which Evacuation UAVs Are Used in Ukraine
Heavy Shot “Ayudag-6”
“Ayudag-6” is a heavy hexacopter made by the Ukrainian company Gurzuf Defence. It has six arms with motors and a modular design that allows for the installation of various equipment.
According to Ministry of Defense data, the aircraft’s empty weight is approximately 98 kg, and its payload capacity reaches 130 kg.
For evacuation purposes, engineers adapted the platform by equipping it with a winch and a Petzl Pitagor rescue harness. This allows a person to be transported in a semi-seated position.
One of the main challenges was the swinging of the suspended load. During acceleration, braking, and maneuvering, the person can oscillate relative to the copter, creating additional stress on the stabilization system.
As Ukrainska Pravda found out, soldiers of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade worked with the developers to adapt the winch and rigging. Before combat use, the design was tested at a training ground.
On October 4, 2026, “Ayudag-6” was used for the first time to evacuate a soldier of the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Kostiantyn Vlasenко, call sign “Mahura.”
The soldier had been at his position for 491 days. After sustaining severe wounds to both legs, he was unable to leave on his own, and previous ground evacuation attempts had been unsuccessful.
The soldier was delivered climbing equipment and a phone with video instructions in advance. After the drone arrived, he secured himself in the harness, after which the copter lifted him into the air.
According to Gurzuf Defence, the drone’s total flight distance was 62 km, and the mission lasted 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 36 seconds.
Due to high energy consumption, the military organized intermediate stops for battery replacement. After the aerial phase, the wounded soldier was handed over to the ground robot “Myrotvorets,” which covered an additional approximately 8 km.
StarGate
A different approach was taken by the company SkyFall, known for its Vampire strike drones. StarGate was designed from the outset for the evacuation of people. The initiative to create it came from the commander of the 475th Separate Assault Regiment CODE 9.2, Oleksandr Nastenko, call sign “Flint.”
According to Associated Press, development took approximately one year. In October 2026, the system was handed over to the military for front-line testing.
StarGate has six arms with 12 rotors and a dedicated medical capsule mounted beneath the frame. Inside are a stretcher on which a wounded person can be transported horizontally.
Key stated specifications:
| Parameter | Value |
| Payload capacity | Up to 150 kg |
| Cruising speed | 65 km/h |
| Maximum speed | 105 km/h |
| Range | Up to 15 km one way |
| Preparation time | Approximately 10 minutes |
| Communication channels | Starlink and L-Link |
Data sourced from the Associated Press publication.
Unlike “Ayudag-6,” StarGate lands near the wounded soldier. The person is placed in the capsule and secured on the stretcher. This reduces the risk of swinging and protects against direct exposure to airflow.
On October 26, CODE 9.2 soldiers reported two successful evacuations from the grey zone near the Russian border. The wounded soldiers, with call signs “Izium” and “Kolobok,” had suffered severe limb injuries. During one of the operations, the drone flew nearly 30 km to the position and the same distance back with the soldier on board.
On November 2, a third evacuation was reported. StarGate retrieved a 54-year-old soldier with the call sign “Donbas,” who had remained at his position for 57 days after being injured by a mine. According to SkyFall, the drone covered more than 15 km one way.
How Evacuation UAVs Work
In terms of flight principles, evacuation UAVs are similar to conventional multicopters. However, they feature more powerful motors, larger propellers, and a reinforced airframe capable of withstanding significant loads.
The payload capacity of such a UAV must be sufficient to transport a person along with equipment and evacuation gear. At the same time, what matters is not only the maximum thrust of the motors but also the thrust margin. This margin is necessary for the drone to compensate for wind gusts, maneuver, and maintain stability during flight.
Stabilization is handled by the flight controller. It receives data from gyroscopes, accelerometers, and other sensors and regulates motor RPM to maintain the required attitude of the aircraft.
At the same time, the design of the evacuation module affects flight characteristics. A suspended person introduces additional oscillations, while a rigidly fixed capsule increases mass and aerodynamic drag.
Batteries and Range
One of the main limitations of heavy copters is power consumption. The greater the aircraft’s mass, the more power is needed to generate lift.
At the same time, additional batteries increase energy reserves but take up part of the allowable takeoff weight. Engineers are therefore forced to strike a balance between payload capacity and range.
As early as March 2026, Gurzuf Defence engineers explained to Ukrainska Pravda that “Ayudag-6” can have various battery configurations — depending on whether a heavier load needs to be carried or a greater distance needs to be covered.
Actual range also depends on the weight of the wounded soldier, flight speed, temperature, and wind. Additionally, an energy reserve must be accounted for to allow landing or a change of route.
The total length of an evacuation mission can be significantly greater than the range of a single flight, made possible by intermediate stops and battery swaps.
In a November 6 report by The Washington Post, soldiers described how ground teams were organized along the route to swap batteries for certain StarGate missions.
Navigation and Communication Without GPS
Another technical challenge is Russian electronic warfare systems. They can suppress satellite navigation, disrupt control signals, or interfere with video transmission. Evacuation drones therefore require backup communication channels and alternative means of determining their own position.
StarGate uses satellite-based Starlink and SkyFall’s proprietary L-Link system. In addition, the manufacturer claims AI-based navigation that allows the drone to continue flight without GPS.
In general, inertial navigation, cameras with computer vision algorithms, digital terrain maps, and lidar can be used for such tasks. These technologies help estimate the aircraft’s movement and determine its position relative to surrounding objects. The full list of StarGate’s navigation equipment has not been publicly disclosed.
According to SkyFall’s statement, after losing communication the system is capable of autonomously plotting a route to a safe zone. However, in The Washington Post report, StarGate pilot Andrii Koliada said that during one mission he had no video feed for approximately 30% of the flight and navigated by map.
The publication also reported the crash of one of the aircraft during a test flight. The pilot attributed it to GPS spoofing.
How Evacuation UAVs and the Wounded Are Protected
A heavy evacuation UAV is a conspicuous target. Due to its significant mass, it is less maneuverable, and sharp movements can pose a danger to the person on board.
Developers are therefore working on additional protective measures. During the October StarGate demonstration, SkyFall showcased an FPV drone interception system. It fires a special net that entangles the propellers of an attacking drone.
The company also claimed that StarGate can continue flying after losing one of its arms. During combat evacuations, the military also employed external cover. In particular, according to Interfax-Ukraine, heavy Vampire strike drones were used to support operations.
Evacuation UAVs: Limitations and Prospects
Despite successful showcased operations, evacuation UAVs remain complex systems that require trained crews, maintenance, and suitable weather conditions.
Strong winds increase the load on motors, low temperatures affect batteries, and electronics failures can lead to loss of control. According to The Washington Post, one StarGate evacuation attempt had to be postponed due to strong winds. During preparations for another, a problem arose with charging due to a damaged battery connector.
A separate issue is cost and scaling up production. According to SkyFall’s estimate cited by Associated Press, a single StarGate costs at least $50,000 depending on configuration.
The company stated its intention to reach production of up to one thousand such drones per month by the end of 2026.
Similar cargo platforms are also being developed abroad. For example, British company Malloy Aeronautics, owned by BAE Systems, is developing the electric T-Series UAVs. They are being considered for military logistics and the potential evacuation of the wounded.
In particular, according to the manufacturer’s current specifications, the T-400 prototype can carry up to 165 kg, features swappable batteries, and has a stated range of 40–60 km.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ukrainian UAVs are used to evacuate the wounded?
As of November 2026, combat use of the Heavy Shot “Ayudag-6” by Gurzuf Defence and StarGate by SkyFall has been confirmed.
How much weight can evacuation drones carry?
The stated payload capacity of “Ayudag-6” is up to 130 kg, and that of StarGate is up to 150 kg. Actual capabilities depend on battery configuration and flight conditions.
How far can a wounded soldier be evacuated?
StarGate’s stated range is up to 15 km one way. However, during combat operations, the military covered significantly longer routes thanks to intermediate stops for battery replacement.
Can evacuation UAVs operate without GPS?
StarGate has backup communication channels and an autonomous navigation system that, according to the manufacturer, allows the drone to continue flying in the absence of GPS. However, combat use has shown that the impact of electronic warfare remains a serious challenge.
