Drone warfare has intensified psychological trauma among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, leading to a unique form of PTSD known as "droneophobia." The haunting sounds of drones serve as a constant reminder of danger, altering perceptions of safety and normal life.
The Lingering Fear of Drones: Psychological Trauma in Ukraine's New Era of Warfare
The Lingering Fear of Drones: Psychological Trauma in Ukraine's New Era of Warfare
As the war in Ukraine evolves, the sound of drones haunts both soldiers and civilians, affecting mental health in profound ways.
In a small apartment in Kyiv, Pavlo, a 30-year-old drone operator, opens a black case that cradles a four-rotor drone. After fiddling with the control unit to no avail, he smiles and says, "Sorry, not today." Having recently returned from frontlines, Pavlo symbolizes the new wave of warfare in Ukraine where first-person view (FPV) drones have increasingly replaced traditional weapons. These nimble devices, laden with explosives, have become fatal to soldiers, hunting them down relentlessly.
"You cannot hide from the FPV, and to run is useless," Pavlo remarked, emphasizing the drone's psychological impact. The emotional weight of war lingers even in civilian life; sounds reminiscent of drones—like lawnmowers or motorcycles—trigger panic. "I don't like to go into nature anymore," he admitted, illustrating a condition dubbed “droneophobia” by Dr. Serhii Andriichenko, a chief psychiatrist in Kyiv.
As drone technology dominates the battlefield, thousands of returning soldiers grapple with anxiety linked to its sounds, often misattributing ordinary noises to drone threats. Another soldier, known as Savur, emphasizes how drones were a “permanent sound” of combat, often more constant than the brief explosions of artillery.
This intricate connection between sound and trauma extends beyond the battlefield. Many soldiers exhibit anxiety at home, triggered by ordinary household noises. One soldier often hides away from windows in response to everyday sounds that remind him of war.
The evolution of warfare has also altered soldiers' perceptions of safety. While earlier conflicts created fear of forest environments, the dread associated with drones has flipped that narrative. Soldiers now find solace in wooded areas while trying to avoid open spaces.
Nazar Bokhii, a commander who experienced severe injuries from a drone attack, reflected on the psychological aspect of drone warfare. His unit had used the drone's sound to manipulate enemy movements, exemplifying how psychological terror now permeates warfare.
Civilians bear the brunt of this new psychological warfare as well. In locations like Kherson, residents live in constant fear of drone attacks. Reports indicate numerous civilian casualties due to drone strikes designed to induce fear among non-combatants. Dmytro Olifirenko, a 23-year-old border guard from Kherson, described a chilling encounter at a bus stop, where he was wounded by a drone's munition.
In his reflection, Olifirenko noted the lasting impacts of such trauma. "It hits your mental and psychological health hard," he shared, encapsulating the horror civilians face daily.
Both soldiers and civilians now find themselves navigating a landscape where the sound of drones alters their reality. As Pavlo poignantly stated, “You see the world as a battlefield... it can become a battlefield any second.” This pervasive anxiety, driven by sound, illustrates the profound psychological ramifications of modern warfare in Ukraine, challenging perceptions of safety beyond the front lines.
