Drones are changing modern warfare through their psychological impact on soldiers and civilians: stress, immobilization, disorientation, and propaganda.

Drones are no longer limited to reconnaissance or targeted strikes. They directly influence human behavior. Their cognitive effects are now being studied to understand how they alter behavior patterns, perception of danger, and decision-making. Rotor noise, constant surveillance, anticipation of multiple attacks: all of these factors trigger physiological and mental reactions in soldiers and civilians alike. Psychological warfare using drones, which is much more subtle than simple kinetic effects, is emerging as a major strategic factor in modern conflicts. An integrated cognitive approach is essential for anyone who wants to control its effects.

War stress caused by drones: a very real trauma

The continuous presence of drones in conflict zones triggers stress responses comparable to those observed in soldiers engaged in direct combat. A study of US forces shows that nearly 4.3% of drone operators meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This rate rises among soldiers deployed for more than two years. There are many causes: live viewing of lethal strikes, anticipation of secondary attacks, and operational isolation despite the distance from the combat zone.

Among ground troops, the consequences are similar: insomnia, auditory hallucinations, and feelings of helplessness. In the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, soldiers’ testimonies describe constant mental pressure linked to the presence of drones above the front lines. Drones are becoming instruments of mental attrition, and this cognitive fatigue weakens decision-making on the ground. The characteristic noise of the rotors acts as a Pavlovian trigger for panic or flight.

Even civilians are subjected to this psychological stress. In Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine, surveillance drones sometimes circle for hours over urban areas. This causes residents to feel constantly intruded upon, disrupts their daily lives, and sometimes causes them to flee the area for fear of being struck. In short, the mere presence of a drone is enough to profoundly affect human behavior.

Mastered mental tactics: immobilize, disperse, disorient

Drones make it possible to exploit new psychological dynamics to disrupt an adversary. Five major effects have been documented to date:

• Distraction: the noise of a drone attracts the attention of enemy soldiers, causing unnecessary firing or uncoordinated movements. This opens up an operational window for other, more targeted actions.
• Displacement: for fear of being located, some units prefer to abandon their positions rather than risk being struck. Entire corridors can be cleared without direct contact, solely under the aerial threat of a drone.
• Immobilization: in several conflicts, drones have frozen front lines by forcing combatants to remain entrenched. The constant fear of being spotted limits maneuverability and slows down the offensive. The effect is particularly visible in the Donbass, where some areas have not moved for months.
• Ambiguity: when a drone is unidentified or has unclear markings, combatants are unsure of the source of the threat. This weakens the chain of command, fuels internal suspicion, and slows down the response.
• Conditioning: after repeated strikes, units change their routines. They avoid certain areas, modify their schedules, and expect attacks at any moment. This constant anticipation generates pathological vigilance and significant nervous fatigue.

These effects are powerful, especially for forces considered technologically inferior. Drones offer them psychological leverage against a better-equipped adversary.

Influence through images: drones and the communication war

Drone video recording has become a central tool of propaganda. Images of successful strikes, enemy desertions, or spectacular destruction are posted on social media to influence public opinion. The Islamic State was a pioneer of this tactic, using aerial images to construct a narrative of domination. This type of audiovisual communication has an impact on several targets: the enemy, sympathizers, and international diplomatic actors.

Drones are also used to film human rights violations or undeclared troop movements. These images fuel denunciation campaigns or diplomatic pressure. A video of a strike on a civilian area, even without confirmation of responsibility, can be enough to sway the opinion of a third country or weaken a state’s position before an international body.

Beyond cameras, drones are sometimes equipped with loudspeakers or powerful sound projectors. They can broadcast messages calling for surrender, safety instructions, or orders to panic. This eliminates the need for fixed loudspeakers and allows direct psychological manipulation of troops or civilians in a targeted area.

The moral question: a worrying legal vacuum

The growing use of drones in psychological warfare raises many ethical questions. The absence of direct human contact encourages a form of disengagement. The concept of “remote warfare,” reinforced by digital anonymity, raises questions about the proportionality and legality of strikes, particularly when they are based on imprecise signals or misinterpreted data.

There is currently no specific international framework for drones in cognitive operations. The Geneva Convention applies in theory, but implementation remains difficult to verify. This creates an ambiguous terrain where abuses are rarely punished. In asymmetric conflicts, drones can even be used in disinformation campaigns or simulated attacks.

The other ethical danger concerns the trivialization of drone use for psychological manipulation operations. If this trend continues, it could pave the way for a permanent mental war, where civilian populations are constantly subjected to stimuli aimed at disrupting them or influencing their perception.

Towards a new doctrine: training, anticipating, and structuring the use of cognitive drones

In light of these developments, there is an urgent need to develop a clear doctrine on the use of drones in psychological operations. This requires several structural changes.

First, it is necessary to conduct full-scale experiments to assess the mental effects of drones on human groups. These tests will make it possible to establish thresholds, identify psychological vulnerabilities, and develop countermeasures.

Next, these lessons must be incorporated into military training at all levels: officers, operators, and special forces. Awareness of cognitive warfare must become a pillar of military strategy. Joint exercises with civilian services should also be planned, particularly in large cities and border areas.

Finally, a doctrine of use must govern the use of drones in this context. It should specify ethical limits, rules of engagement, documentation methods, and counter-influence tools. This doctrine must also remain flexible so that feedback from the field can be quickly incorporated.

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