Under the Lens: Drone Operators in Võrumaa See War Before Others

Postimees photographer Martin Pedaja and editor Ago Raudsepp visited Võrumaa to investigate the work of female soldiers, known as drone operators. The feature reveals what these women see on their classified screens and includes commentary from Ukrainian Nik on this year's Spring Storm exercise.

A group of female soldiers operates in Võrumaa, known as drone operators — women whose job is to monitor combat situations through drone cameras and see military reality before anyone else. Postimees decided to investigate their secretive world more closely.

Secret Screens and Special Responsibility

Photographer Martin Pedaja and editor Ago Raudsepp travelled to Võrumaa to understand what information these women gather from their screens and what role they play in Estonia's defence structures. Work related to drone operations is often classified, which is why the public has little opportunity to follow this activity.

Ukrainian Nik Discusses Spring Storm

They also met with Ukrainian Nik, who shared his impressions of this year's Spring Storm major exercise. Spring Storm is a joint exercise by NATO members and partners in which various defence tactics are practised and the readiness of forces is tested. Ukraine's experience from real war gives such exercises special weight in assessment.

Drone technology has become one of the most decisive tools in modern warfare, as is clearly evident from the Ukraine conflict. Estonia has actively invested in this area, and drone operator training has become a priority in the country's defence forces as well.