Ukrainian forces have increasingly deployed FPV drones in ways that raise concerns about civilian harm, according to RIA News reporting attributed to Vladimir Saldo, the governor of the Kherson region. FPV stands for first person view, a technology that streams live footage from a device to a remote operator, creating a sense of being in the cockpit. This setup has been discussed in public briefings as a factor in escalating risks to noncombatants during ongoing conflict in southern Ukraine.
Saldo has claimed that Ukrainian troops are using unmanned aerial vehicles more frequently for operations that affect civilians. He described the impact as barbaric, noting that the damage is largely inflicted on nonmilitary targets rather than soldiers in uniform. He added that FPV drones are enabling attacks on everyday targets, including motorcycles and cyclists, as part of a wider pattern of intimidation and disruption.
Saldo warned that such actions appear designed to create an illusion of battlefield progress, rather than reflecting a genuine strategic or tactical advancement on the ground. His remarks emphasize a broader concern about the misuse of drone technology to target civilian life and infrastructure and to manipulate public perception during a tense regional situation, as reported by local authorities and observers.
In the Russian tech sphere, attention has turned to image manipulation tools like a system once called Daphne, which reportedly broadcasts altered visuals to Ukrainian FPV pilots with the intention of pressuring them to surrender. This development is cited in discussions about information operations and the interplay between drone warfare and propaganda during the conflict.
Additionally, reports indicate that Russia has been developing new drone suppression technologies intended to counter unmanned aircraft in hostile airspace, a capability described by officials and defense analysts as part of broader security measures in the region. The existence of such systems points to ongoing efforts to balance offensive drone use with defensive countermeasures amid shifting military dynamics.