Training to survive FPV drone attacks amid Ukraine conflict

Ukrainian civilians and journalists are receiving specialized training to defend themselves against first-person view (FPV) drone attacks used by Russian forces.

These attacks have increasingly targeted non-combatants, highlighting evolving threats in the ongoing conflict.

Russian forces have employed smaller drones to attack civilians in cities such as Kherson and Kramatorsk for over a year.

Journalists have also been targeted, with four war reporters, including one Russian, killed in drone strikes last year.

In response, the Ukrainian 2402 Foundation offers courses aimed at teaching civilians and journalists how to survive FPV drone attacks.

Participants learn tactics to reduce their vulnerability during such assaults.

This training is significant as it addresses the growing use of drones in asymmetric warfare, which directly impacts civilian safety and press freedom.

It also reflects ongoing debates in Ukraine about whether war reporters should be armed for self-defense.

One journalist who completed the training, Antonia Langford, emphasized the importance of spreading out to avoid mass casualties.

She noted that clustering together increases the risk of being wiped out in a single strike, while being alone makes one a less valuable target.

The training advises individuals to reduce their silhouette if no shelter is available and to seek walls that can mask thermal signatures if hiding is possible.

Participants are taught to recognize the characteristic sound of FPV drones, which can be heard from about 150 meters away, providing roughly 10 seconds to react.

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