This is a professional hazard for me now
I worked for Defence
Tactical/strategic simulation
I was a Russian/Chinese weaponry specialist
Drone pilot
Drone builder
Communications tech
Explosives ticket
Because of these things I spend a lot of time in Ukrainian battalion video feeds
To date I have watched 27 Russian soldiers commit suicide.
I have seen thousands killed or maimed.
I am horrified at the desensitisation evinced by the reconnaissance drone operators.
At work, one did a BDA (battle damage assessment) then continued surveillance elsewhere.
I notice from the feeds that the recon pilots will zoom in for a BDA, and maintain that zoom until either the combatant is obviously dead, or a second (or third) drone is sent to finish them off.
When they post a video to the feeds, they will frequently loop the bloodthirstiest sections.
While focussed on (and killing) someone who is no longer combatant, they allow the rest of the enemy platoon to reach cover unobserved.
This seems counterproductive, although I grant them reason for hatred.
It now takes a particularly gruesome death to affect me.
Since I would like to return to my job, I continue monitoring changes in equipment and tactics.
If I cannot get my job back, I hope I can discontinue this practice, although there are many things I doubt I will ever forget.
I think these aspects are compartmentalised and do not intrude into my life, but how can I be sure?
30 Jul 2024, 7:06 pm
