War reporter considered carrying rifle amid drone threat in Ukraine

The escalating threat of drones in the Ukraine conflict has led war reporters to consider extreme measures for their own safety. Olha Kyrylenko, a 27-year-old war correspondent, revealed she contemplated acquiring a rifle to defend herself against Russian drones. This consideration highlights the perilous environment journalists face on the front lines.

Last year, the dangers of reporting from Ukraine resulted in the deaths of three journalists. French photojournalist Antoni Lallican and Ukrainian reporters Yevhen Karmazin and Aliona Hramova were killed in separate Russian drone attacks. Two other colleagues sustained serious injuries in these incidents.

Kyrylenko noted a significant shift in the threat landscape starting in early 2024, with the proliferation of FPV (first-person view) drones becoming a major concern. These small, remotely piloted aircraft, often equipped with cameras, can be used for surveillance and attack, posing a constant danger to those in the conflict zone. The dilemma faced by journalists like Kyrylenko raises questions about the boundaries of their role and the equipment necessary to survive in modern warfare.

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Everything changed seriously at the beginning of 2024. That was when FPV drones became a problem for us.