The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a warning over the escalating use of drones in modern warfare. She declared that the technology is being deployed deliberately against civilian populations rather than military targets.
ICRC President warns as drone warfare tactics draw global condemnation
Speaking at the 2026 Munich Security Conference in Germany, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger highlighted the dangerous erosion of international humanitarian law. She pointed to a troubling trend in contemporary conflict zones.
Spoljaric Egger explained that wars are turning into worse, not against weapons bearers but against civilians deliberately. She linked this with the impact of the erosion of international humanitarian law.
“There was never a moment when drones fight against drones. Drones fight against the military and increasingly against civilians,” Spoljaric Egger stated.
Her remarks reveal a growing concern within humanitarian circles. She noted that the protective barriers afforded to non-combatants are being systematically weakened by new military technologies.
In reaction, Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, endorsed the statement. He described it as a powerful message on drone use against civilians.
The ICRC, has spent decades from treating wounded soldiers to protecting all victims of armed violence. The organisation operates in some of the world’s most volatile regions, assisting those caught in the crossfire.
Russian drone strikes in Ukraine amount to war crimes, UN report finds
The concerns raised in Munich are substantiated by grim statistics from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A United Nations report estimates that more than 200 civilians have been killed by short-range Russian drones in three frontline regions over the past year.
According to the UN findings, these drone attacks amount to murder and constitute the war crime of intentionally targeting civilians. The report further alleges that the attacks are being committed as part of a coordinated policy to drive out civilians from those territories.
However, the strategic role of drones in warfare is complex. Erik Lin-Greenberg, a scholar and military officer, explores this dynamic in a new book examining the evolution of military and state action involving unmanned aerial vehicles.
While acknowledging the risks, Lin-Greenberg challenges some of the long-held assumptions about drone warfare.
“There was a conventional wisdom that drones were a slippery slope that would enable leaders to use force in all kinds of situations, with a massively destabilising effect,” the MIT political scientist explained.
Recent incidents have also highlighted the geopolitical tensions drones can ignite. In recent months, Russia has frequently flown drones into NATO territory, forcing member states to scramble jets and attempt to shoot them down.
Findings by Charity Journal indicate that the use of such technology dates back to the 19th century. This is arguably when the Austrians deployed pilotless hot-air balloons to bomb Venice.
Additionally, the development of the remotely piloted machines seen today began almost immediately after the Wright brothers demonstrated powered flight.
In another development, the ICRC outlined five critical rules of war designed to safeguard civilians in conflict zones across the world.
Meanwhile, ICRC raised concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis in northeast Syria amid renewed hostilities.