Ukrainian SOF evacuate soldier who spent weeks trapped in gray zone - video
The soldier for several weeks had been trying to make his way back to Ukrainian positions in Zaporizhzhya Oblast after becoming separated from his unit (Photo: Video screenshot / AFU SOF)
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) rescued a Ukrainian soldier in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, who was unable to reach Ukrainian defense positions for several weeks, the military reported on Jan. 30.
A combat group from the 73rd Center found the man exhausted, starving, and unable to move in one of their special operations in one of the gray zone settlements. At first, they mistook him for an enemy soldier who survived another Russian “meat assault,” but a check confirmed that he was from Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
The soldier said that for several weeks he was trying to make his way back to Ukrainian positions after becoming separated from his unit. During that time, he searched for food and water in abandoned houses.
He managed to bypass Russian positions and reach the gray zone, where he hid from occupying forces and enemy drones.
“Frozen, exhausted, starving, and unable to move — that is how our fighters found him,” the SOF said.
The defender was immediately given first aid and evacuated to a safe location, the statement added.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
