Captured Ukrainian soldier rescued from Russian-occupied trench in daring drone operation

A Ukrainian soldier who was captured by Russian forces during some close-quarters combat has been rescued with the help of a drone.

An unnamed soldier serving with the 95th Separate Polesian Air Assault Brigade explained how his unit had managed to free him following some trench-fighting.

"Drones have shown themselves to be very good. They not only destroy the enemy but also save lives," the serviceman said in a video posted by Anton Gerashchenko on X.

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"The situation was as follows: neighbouring units were being stormed by the enemy, and the enemy took a trench," he said.

"This was a very dangerous area for us because that trench opened a flank to our positions, and we decided to launch three crews of drones to help our neighbours repel the enemy's attack."

The drone operators spotted a captive soldier from a neighbouring brigade tied up in the trench.

A drone pilot known only as "Kevin" came up with a rescue plan, flying a drone to the man's location.

The captured soldier managed to untie his hands and legs and climb out of the trench, and the drone then started flashing lights at him to indicate that it was there to help.

"He looked up, saw that these were our guys, and asked which way to go," the 95th Air Assault soldier explained.

The drone flew to the left, indicating the way back to friendly lines, and the soldier followed - only to come cross a Russian soldier on the other side of the trench.

The Mavic drone had one grenade strapped to it.

"Since we had one more drop, we hit the enemy. I think he died, because he fell under a tree, and stayed there," the 95th man explained.

The Ukrainian soldier was then able to make his escape and was picked up by friendly forces.

"You need not only brute force, but intelligence to fight," added the 95th Air Assault soldier.

Russia and Ukraine recently exchanged more than 200 prisoners of war following mediation by the United Arab Emirates.

It was the first exchange of PoWs in nearly five months.