Uma discussão sobre as implicações éticas do emprego de drones em conflitos armados internacionais

Abstract

This study addresses the ethical issues that arise from the use of drones in armed confrontations between states, something that has become crucial with their increasing deployment in contemporary wars, as seen in Nagorno-Karabakh (2020) and in the Russia–Ukraine conflict (2022–2025). The central objective of the research is to examine the ethical challenges associated with the use of these devices, and how they affect the fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Using a qualitative and exploratory methodology, the study engages with renowned authors, both classical and contemporary, such as Michael Walzer, Grégoire Chamayou, Christian Enemark, and Buchanan & Keohane. Furthermore, it assesses the human effects of drone use, including the emotional detachment of operators and the dehumanized perception of the opponent, as well as the growing integration of artificial intelligence and the transformation of combat into a game, which further challenges established ethical and legal boundaries. It follows that the use of drones in international armed conflicts represents not only a technological evolution in the way wars are fought but also a challenge to the ethical principles of International Humanitarian Law. Therefore, it becomes necessary to construct institutional mechanisms that set clear limits in order to preserve humanity in armed conflicts.