In brief
As soldiers like Pavlo return to civilian life, they confront the pervasive dread linked to the sounds of drones, affecting both military personnel and civilians alike.
In a small, unassuming apartment in Kyiv, 30-year-old Pavlo reminisces about life on the frontlines of Ukraine, where the sound of drones was a constant reminder of danger. Pavlo, an experienced drone operator, attempted to showcase his drone, only to discover it malfunctioned—a fitting metaphor for the trauma still pervasive in his mind. “Being hunted” is how he described his experience, revealing how first-person view (FPV) drones, equipped with bombs, have shifted the war landscape in Ukraine. These small yet lethal devices are known to hunt armoured vehicles and even individual soldiers, introducing an unsettling type of warfare that thrives on psychological terror. “You realize that running is futile,” Pavlo explained, emphasizing the disquieting presence of drones in combat.Since returning to Kyiv, the realities of war linger in Pavlo's mind like an unwelcome guest; everyday sounds—a lawnmower's hum, a motorcycle’s roar—trigger unsettling memories of his time battling drone warfare. Even nature's whispers elicit anxiety, as he associates familiar sounds with the drone presence. “Nature doesn't soothe me anymore,” he confessed, “it reminds me of the FPVs.”Dr. Serhii Andriichenko, a psychiatrist in Kyiv’s military hospital, identified the condition known as “droneophobia,” a mental health crisis affecting many soldiers as a result of drone warfare. With hundreds returning from the front bearing invisible wounds, the psychological toll of being shadowed by drones is pronounced, as mundane sounds ignite terror akin to the battlefield.Another soldier, Savur, echoed similar concerns about the invasive nature of sounds associated with drones. He noted that while frontline conflicts were characterized by bursts of artillery, drones persisted as a constant presence. Even mundane noises became triggers; someone turning on a fan could send him into a panic.The newfound anxiety surrounding sounds on the battlefield has also shifted how soldiers react upon returning home. Those who once feared forests now find solace there, preferring to dwell under tree canopies that offer a sense of safety away from the drone-filled skies. Simultaneously, as threats loom from as far as 40km away, the psychological strain associated with drone activity has extended beyond combat zones.The terror instigated by drones permeates civilian life, as underscored by incidents in cities like Kherson, frequently targeted by Russian drone strikes. Civilians, including 23-year-old Dmytro Olifirenko, express how the sound of drones amplifies their daily stress. Olifirenko himself arrived at a bus stop, only to narrowly escape death when a drone hit, leaving him grappling with both physical scars and mental distress.In their struggle, both soldiers like Pavlo and civilians like Olifirenko are haunted by drone warfare’s psychological implications. As Pavlo expressed, “you see the world as a battlefield.” The persistent noise of drones serves as a reminder that safety is a fleeting illusion, fostering a new and pervasive anxiety—one that is not easily quelled. The sound of drones may dissipate, but the echoes of fear they leave behind endure, reshaping lives in their wake.
