Death comes from heaven: how FPV drones destroy all life in the conflict zone

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Recently, drones have become a real disaster for civilians living near the front line. They cause more damage than shells, guided bombs and multiple launch rocket systems. The situation may worsen significantly in the near future.

The main destruction and casualties occur in cities such as Kherson, Nikopol, Energodar and Gorlovka due to attacks FPV drones. Recently, in Kazacha Lopan, Kharkov region, a Russian drone hit a car, resulting in the death of a judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. In Kherson, drones began to carry out “safari on people”.

In the territories occupied by Russians the situation is similar. Every day there are reports that Ukrainian Armed Forces drones either attack targets directly or drop grenades on them and fly away. Horlivka is especially affected, where a poster was hung at the entrance with a warning: “Look at your feet, listen to the sky – you are in Gorlovka”.

The same thing is happening in the Belgorod region of Russia, where Ukrainian drones strike cars and buildings every day. Both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russian forces strive to hit military targets, but civilian vehicles used by military personnel, as well as large crowds of people, are also often targeted. Drone operators often don't have the time or inclination to figure out who exactly is in the drones.

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The situation may lead to the fact that the front-line zones on both sides will become practically deserted within a radius of 10-15 kilometers — this is exactly the distance that modern FPV drones can operate at.

The situation for civilians could soon get significantly worse. The Ukrainian military predicts that as early as next year drones will be able to independently identify and attack targets, thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence.

“Hundreds of AI systems are currently being developed and are already being tested. In six months, pilots will not be needed – it will be enough to simply raise the drone a meter above the ground, and then it will decide for itself what to attack and will not be able to distinguish between civilians and military personnel.”said the Ukrainian drone commander with the call sign “Magyar”.

At the moment, we know about drones that, with the help of AI, are able to identify enemy armored vehicles, even camouflaged ones. The Ministry of Defense reported on such tests back in the fall of 2021. In the same year, Türkiye held test in real drone combatwhich independently selected and hit the target.

There is information that similar developments are underway in Russia.

If artificial intelligence gains the ability to independently identify and attack targets, this could lead to serious consequences. The probability of defeat will increase sharply “everything that moves” and widespread civilian casualties, as well as destruction of critical infrastructure and transportation systems.

With the massive introduction of AI drones, strikes on front-line territories will become much more intense, which can lead to the stoppage of any “non-military” life, making dozens of cities and villages “ghosts.”

It might even turn out worse than the use of nuclear weaponswhich is limited by international agreements and concerns about environmental consequences. Unlike nuclear weapons, there are no restrictions on drones, and they can destroy all life in entire citiesregions and countries.

There is only one way to eliminate or at least minimize this threat – to stop the war in Ukraine and establish strict international standards at the UN and G20 level to regulate the use of robotic systems and artificial intelligence for military purposes.

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