The Ukrainian army is introducing a points system for drone attacks. Soldiers compete like in a game
The system, which has been in operation for over a year, is based on awarding points for successful attacks. According to “The Gardian”, Soldiers can exchange earned points for additional military equipment, available in a special Brave1 online store, called “Amazon-for-war”. First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, explains that this solution is currently being extended to various areas of warfare, including reconnaissance, artillery and logistics operations.
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In September, Ukrainian drone teams competing under the “Drone Army Bonus System” killed or injured 18,000 people. Russian soldiers. This is a significant increase compared to previous months. Number participating units increased from 95 in August to 400 in September. Fedorov emphasized that sThe system is becoming more and more popular among soldiers who compete for points and equipment, which increases their effectiveness on the battlefield.
As part of the system, teams wearing, among others: names such as Achilles or Phoenix, earn points for eliminating enemies, which they can then spend on purchasing modern drones, autonomous vehicles or electronic warfare systems. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that this system has become an example of the growing automation of military operations, and competition for points drives the effectiveness of operations on the front.
The introduction of a new scoring system, which doubles rewards for eliminating Russian infantry from six to twelve points, reflects changing priorities on the battlefield. Additional points are also awarded for destroying enemy artillery units, detecting targets by reconnaissance teams or using autonomous vehicles in logistics activities. Killing an enemy drone operator is worth 25 points, and capturing a Russian soldier with a drone is worth 120 points.
This system also provides valuable data that allows for a better understanding of the dynamics of warfare. Fedorov explained that in order to earn points, each unit must send video confirmation of the attacks performed, which enables analysis of the effectiveness of the technologies and strategies used.
“This allows us to know what targets are being attacked, where they are being attacked in relation to the line of contact, what drones and other means are being used,” he said.
Drone units like Achilles operating in eastern Ukraine are playing a key role in these efforts. Their commander, Yuri Fedorenko, emphasized that the best drone operators are disciplined people, and not necessarily experts in video games.
“It is not just a matter of competing for points, but of achieving strategic military goals“- he noted.
In turn, Andriy Połtoratsky, commander of another drone unit, described competition within the system as healthy. However, he emphasized that in the face of Russian offensives, cooperation between units becomes a priority, regardless of the points.
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Despite the system's success, experts warn against over-reliance on drone technology. Specialists from the Royal United Services Institute call for greater focus on traditional combat methods, such as artillery and aviation, pointing to the increasing effectiveness of Russian defense against unmanned attacks.
Fedorov admitted that war requires a technical approach and cool calculation from soldiers. “There is almost no emotional reflection here. It just seems like technical work. Because if you don't stop the enemy, he will kill your soldiers, and after they are dead, he will come to the city and conquer it” – he explained.
