The Emerging Psychological scars of Drone Warfare in Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine is generating a novel form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) linked to the pervasive use of drones, impacting both soldiers and civilians.Psychologists treating veterans report a heightened sensitivity to even minimal cover – seeking shelter under furniture or away from windows – mirroring behaviors developed on the battlefield. This anxiety is triggered by the sounds associated wiht drones, even seemingly innocuous ones.
the psychological impact extends beyond those directly engaged in combat. Pavlo, a 30-year-old Ukrainian drone pilot, exemplifies this, stating in a BBC interview that he now avoids natural environments due to the association with the sounds of drone propellers. Everyday noises like lawnmowers, motorcycles, and air conditioners can instantly evoke the threat he experienced while operating and being targeted by First-Person View (FPV) drones.
Remarkably, the trauma isn’t limited to frontline soldiers. Drone pilots themselves, operating remotely and responsible for targeting, are experiencing notable mental strain. Despite physical distance from the conflict, the intense mental workload and the moral implications of remotely inflicting harm are contributing to PTSD. The act of killing via a screen, coupled with the real-time observation of human behavior before an attack and the direct awareness of consequences, can lead to guilt, moral injury, and intrusive re-experiencing. Studies conducted in the United States, as reported by NPR, have already demonstrated the mental toll of this “Remote Warfare.” This issue appears to be escalating within the context of the Ukrainian conflict, where the sheer volume of drone usage is unprecedented.
the scale of drone deployment – with both russia and Ukraine producing tens of thousands of drones monthly – suggests the psychological consequences will become fully apparent as soldiers reintegrate into civilian life. Though, the impact isn’t confined to military personnel. Civilians in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odessa are repeatedly exposed to the alarming sounds of drones, particularly the distinctive noise of Shahed kamikaze drones, powered by two-stroke gasoline engines. This sound is inducing panic even before explosions occur.
Experts suggest this drone-related PTSD could manifest on a large scale, possibly mirroring the widespread psychological disruption seen after previous major conflicts. Long after the war concludes, a significant number of veterans and civilians may permanently associate the sound of a drone with anxiety, destruction, and death, overshadowing the technology’s peaceful applications.
The repercussions may extend beyond Ukraine’s borders. Ukrainian refugees resettling in countries like the netherlands may exhibit heightened reactions to the sound of civilian drones. Consequently, commercial drone operators and hobbyists flying near refugee reception centers are advised to be mindful of this potential trigger, recognizing that a familiar drone sound to some could be a deeply traumatic experience for others.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23gjk7dlvlo
https://www.npr.org/2017/04/24/525413427/for-drone-pilots-warfare-may-be-remote-but-the-trauma-is-real
* https://www.dronewatch.nl/2022/10/17/kamikazedrones-wat-zijn-het-hoe-werken-ze-wat-valt-er-tegen-te-doen/
