In the heart of the contemporary war in Ukraine, a new, extremely psychological dimension is revealed - the phenomenon of "drone phobia", which transforms technological devices into an instrument of mental persecution.
Pavlo, a 30-year-old first-person (FPV) drone operator, describes the shocking reality of the front line. "You can't hide from the drone, escape is meaningless," he shares painfully, while demonstrating his specialized device in a narrow Kyiv apartment.
Military psychologists like Dr. Sergey Andriychenko introduce a new term - "drone phobia", which describes acute stress disorders caused by the constant mechanical buzzing sound. According to experts, the majority of returning soldiers suffer more from psychological than physical trauma.
Drones have transformed the battlefield. They pursue armored vehicles, precisely locate infantry units, and eliminate individual soldiers with incredible accuracy. Their sound - a high, piercing buzz - has become a symbol of inevitable threat.
An interesting psychological effect is that soldiers now feel more protected in wooded areas, whereas before they feared such terrains. Drone technology expands the dangerous zone far beyond the front line, creating a sense of constant insecurity.
Civilians like Dmytro Olyfirenko have also become victims of this psychological terrorism. According to regional military administration data, over 84 civilians have died from Russian drone attacks in the Kherson region this year alone.
Commanders like Nazar Bokhiy reveal another side of drone warfare - they can be used as a psychological weapon, forcing the enemy to leave protected positions through constant threatening buzzing.
Drone trauma extends beyond the front line. Everyday sounds like lawnmowers, motorcycles, and air conditioners become a psychological trap that haunts soldiers even after returning to civilian life.
Pavlo summarizes the tragic essence of the new war: "The world can become a battlefield at any moment". Human hearing becomes the most vulnerable sensory channel, which drone technology ruthlessly exploits.
As technology continues to evolve, the psychological consequences of this new type of warfare have yet to be fully understood and comprehended by the global community.