Serhiy was found wounded on the battlefield by a friendly drone/Ukrainian military footage
2023.08.03 Thu posted at 19:00 JST
(CNN) Two Ukrainian and two Russian soldiers were wounded on the battlefield in Ukraine. Due to the differences in the treatment of wounded soldiers by both armies, the results of the visits to the two men were strikingly contrasting. Interviewed by a CNN reporter.
Footage of a drone flying over the front line in Zaporizhia Oblast, southern Ukraine. Countless holes that appear to have been made by vehicle ruts and cannonballs can be seen in the green grass. The drone found a soldier lying in a rut.
The soldier, Serhiy, who belongs to the Ukrainian army, was separated from his own unit and was wounded in the chest and leg by artillery fire. Body camera footage shows that the wound is bleeding.
After being treated in hospital, Serhiy told CNN that he knew Russian troops were very close to where he was lying.
The Ukrainian soldier piloting the drone strapped drinking water, medicine and notes to the drone and flew it back to Serhiy’s location, dropping the items from above.
However, at that time, Mr. Serhiy did not know whether it was relief supplies from allies or Russian bombs that were dropped, so he thought it would depend on luck.
Drone footage later shows Serhiy realizing that the plane was there to save him. Serhiy lays on the ground, checking the dropped supplies and giving his thumbs up to the drone’s camera above.
In the video, Serhiy is rinsing with water and applying first aid to a wound. He eventually regained his strength and was able to return to his unit on his own.
Allied soldiers were stunned to learn that Serhiy survived for two days with a punctured lung.
Serhey is currently recovering well in hospital. He told reporters he sees greater value and purpose in his life going forward.
“For us, every life is important. If you follow your conscience, you can’t leave anyone on the battlefield,” said Eugene, who piloted the drone.
Russian military commander with a bandaged head
On another front, perhaps a few kilometers away, the rescue would be even more gruesome.
When local Ukrainian forces attacked Russian positions, they retreated. The commander was badly wounded by artillery fire, but the Russians assumed him dead and retreated.
A video captured by the Ukrainian military shows the Ukrainian military treating him after confirming that the commander was alive. For his own safety, the commander’s name has not been released, but reports in Russia say he was awarded a posthumous medal. He was left on the battlefield and condemned to death by his comrades.
Ukrainian soldiers who confronted the commander said he demanded the soldiers shoot him. The soldiers gave the commander a chance to commit suicide, but he replied that he could not do it himself.
“He’s an enemy, so to be honest, I didn’t want to help him,” the soldier reveals. But he said he had to obey orders and that keeping him alive would allow him to exchange prisoners.
Another soldier recalled that as a person he was shocked that the Russians had left their commander behind. But as a soldier, he said, he understands that this is how the enemy always works.
Two wounded soldiers on Ukrainian battlefield
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2023-08-03 10:00:00
