Skip to main content

Drone drops electric bike to help Ukrainian soldier escape Russians

In one of the most innovative battlefield escapes to date, a Ukrainian soldier managed to flee Russian encirclement thanks to a drone-delivered electric bike.

According to reports from Ukrainian news outlet Censor.net and The Telegraph, the dramatic incident took place in the Donetsk region, where an injured Ukrainian serviceman found himself surrounded by Russian forces. With traditional evacuation deemed too dangerous, a team from the 35th Marine Brigade came up with a creative solution: use a drone to deliver an electric bicycle.

The drone air-dropped an off-road electric bike directly to the trapped soldier’s location. Once the bike landed safely, the soldier used it to make a rapid, stealthy escape from the combat zone.

It reportedly took two attempts as the first drone carrying an e-bike was reportedly shot down en route, requiring a second attempt to get the e-bike into the hands of the Ukrainian soldier.

Advertisement - scroll for more content
Image: Screenshot via Censor.net video under Fair Use

Top comment by Jon Irenicus

Liked by 11 people

I knew Micah Toll had to be the one doing this story. An electric Bike from the sky may as well be mana from heaven to him.

There is no other human being on earth that loves ebikes more.

View all comments

Electric bikes are no stranger to the Ukrainian front lines. With their quiet motors and off-road capabilities, they’ve been used by the military for reconnaissance, supply transport, and even mobile sniper platforms. This latest example highlights just how versatile and valuable electric bikes can be in modern warfare, not just for tactical mobility, but now for life-saving extractions.

The soldier reportedly made it back to Ukrainian positions, and the story has quickly gone viral as a symbol of both technological ingenuity and battlefield resilience.

In fact, e-bikes and other micromobility devices have seen growing use in militaries around the world. The US and other Western armed forces have integrated electric bicycles and e-motorcycles into their operations, often for tactical assignments where their stealth and size make them ideal options.

It’s a reminder that electric bikes, often viewed as tools for commuting or recreation, can also be game-changers in life-or-death situations. As the war in Ukraine continues, unconventional mobility solutions like e-bikes and drones are proving to be unexpected but essential assets.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Micah Toll Micah Toll

Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries, DIY Solar Power, The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide and The Electric Bike Manifesto.

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0, the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2, the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission, and the $3,299 Priority Current. But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at Micah@electrek.co, or find him on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.