"The reality is that it's extremely dangerous to be flying battlefield drones," a commander said.
The pilot's commander told the outlet that the Russians have implemented a 10 km "no-tank zone" behind the front to better protect the equipment.
"A lot of people want to become drone pilots because they think the work is further back and safer," one front-line commander told the outlet.
In addition to making drone pilots sought-after targets, the war's reliance on drone warfare has also forced both sides to adapt in real time; equipment that can detect and defend against electronic warfare has become a necessity on the battlefield.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"If your cover is poor, then you are likely a dead man," a drone pilot operating in the Zaporizhia province, told The Economist.
Persons:
—, they've, Verbove
Organizations:
Service, Economist, Bradley Fighting Vehicles
Locations:
Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine's, Zaporizhia