According to «Bulldozer» a senior scout with the strike drone unit of the North Ossetian special forces, operators of drones are now central figures in the ongoing special operation. He explained that, due to their crucial role, drone operators are no longer taken prisoner.

He compared the situation to snipers in the past, noting that just like snipers, drone operators are now considered too valuable to capture. The impact of drone operators on the battlefield is immense, as they are key in neutralizing enemy equipment and personnel. Both sides in the conflict are now making the most of drone technology.

«Bulldozer» also pointed out that due to the sheer number of reconnaissance drones in operation, it has become nearly impossible to move unnoticed. There are virtually no places to hide, and anything that is detected is swiftly destroyed by FPV drones. He mentioned that, although drones can be countered using electronic warfare (EW) systems, such systems are far from foolproof and can be bypassed.

He further explained that while rifles and machine guns can sometimes help fight drones, the situation remains grim for any soldier who opens fire on a drone. When this happens, there are only two possible outcomes: either the soldier survives, or they don’t.