Drone technology has allowed us to see places that we never thought we’d be able to go. While most drones are used to show breathtaking images that help us appreciate the incredible world in which we live, others have proven that the Earth can be a sad, destructive, and terrifying place.
The following images definitely belong in the latter category, but they absolutely must be seen. Without this technology, it would be too dangerous for any human to visit in person otherwise.
1. Syria
The Syrian Civil War has been devastating for those caught in the crossfire. Here, a drone photographs Syrian tanks.
Russia Insider / Youtube
Once Syria’s third-largest city, Homs was virtually destroyed after a four-year battle between the government and the opposition killed thousands and left the city in ruins.
2. Beijing, China
American expat Trey Ratcliff learned the hard way why Beijing’s imperial palace is called “The Forbidden City.”
Trey Ratcliff
It should be no surprise that flying over the headquarters of the Chinese government and its intelligence hubs is ill-advised.
Thankfully, Ratcliff was able to snap some aerial footage before his drone was caught and he was arrested by Chinese authorities.
Trey Ratcliff
“Deciding to fly a drone over China is kind of like Luke Skywalker deciding to ride his land speeder on the Death Star,” Ratcliff says.
3. Pripyat, Ukraine
The fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster is evident to this day.
Ashley Shepherd / Youtube
Nuclear safety, quite understandably, became a large concern after the accident.
The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone’s Duga System was built to detect missile attacks with an early-warning radar network.
Ashley Shepherd / Youtube
It emitted such a strong signal that even radio users in the United States could hear its “clicks.” As such, it received the nickname “Russian Woodpecker.” It has since been abandoned and suffered decay.
