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The use of the specialized smart mini-drones in political assassinations
. The proliferation of inexpensive, off-the-shelf drones, combined with advancements in autonomous technology, has created a foreseeable new threat landscape for political figures.While mini-drones have not been used in a successful political assassination, the technology is advancing rapidly, and several near-miss attempts have been recorded
Noteworthy assassination attempts using mini-drones
Nicolás Maduro (2018): Opponents of the Venezuelan president attempted to assassinate him with two DJI Matrice 600 drones armed with explosives while he was giving a speech. The attempt was unsuccessful as the explosives detonated prematurely, injuring several soldiers but leaving Maduro unharmed.
Donald Trump (2024): In an attempted assassination involving a sniper, a drone was used to scout the area where the former U.S. president was scheduled to speak. This case demonstrated the potential for drones to be integrated into more complex attack plots.
Factors increasing the threat level
Weaponization of consumer drones: Easily available commercial quadcopters can be modified with explosive payloads, turning a hobbyist’s tool into a lethal weapon.
Miniaturization and stealth: “Insect-like” micro-drones represent a massive threat for their potential to be stealthy, low-collateral-damage weapons that could infiltrate traditionally secure areas.
Autonomous capabilities: Lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs), also known as “killer robots,” use artificial intelligence and facial recognition to find and eliminate specific targets without human control. This capability significantly lowers the risk for the perpetrator and makes these attacks more difficult to trace.
Swarm attacks: AI can coordinate swarms of drones to act in concert, overwhelming security defenses. A 2021 report from the UN indicates that such autonomous drone swarms may have already been used in combat.
Widespread availability of skilled pilots: The conflict in Ukraine has created a large pool of skilled operators of First-Person-View (FPV) drones, increasing the probability that these skills could be repurposed for assassinations.
Potential defensive measures
In response to this emerging threat, security protocols for protecting public figures are evolving. Some counter-drone technologies currently in use or development include:
Detection systems: Radars, cameras, microphones, and radio frequency (RF) analyzers can detect and classify airborne threats.
RF jammers: These disrupt the communication between a drone and its controller, forcing it to land, return home, or crash.
Cyber takeover systems: These can hijack a drone’s signal to take control and safely redirect it away from the target.
Kinetic countermeasures: Devices like net guns or larger interceptor drones can physically capture or destroy a hostile drone.
High-energy lasers: These are being developed to destroy drones at a distance.
Ethical and regulatory concerns
The use of armed, autonomous drones raises significant ethical questions regarding accountability and the morality of having machines decide who to kill. Experts and international bodies have called for a ban on these lethal autonomous weapon systems, citing concerns over flawed technology and the devastating implications for human security and freedom.— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Sep 14, 2025
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