Ukraine’s Drone Attack System Dubbed a ‘Virus’ for Its Game-Like Precision

A drone attack system resembling a computer game is “rapidly spreading” within Ukrainian military units and is being expanded to cover reconnaissance, artillery, and logistics operations, as reported by Mykhailo Fedorov, the country’s first deputy prime minister, to the Guardian.

In September, drone teams competing under the Drone Corps Bonus System were credited with killing or injuring 18,000 Russian soldiers, with participation growing from 95 to 400 drone squads within one month, according to Ukrainian officials.

This system, initiated over a year ago, rewards soldiers for successful strikes by awarding points that can be exchanged for additional weapons from an online store dubbed Brave1, which features over 100 types of drones, self-driving vehicles, and various drone warfare equipment. Teams with creative names such as Achilles and Phoenix currently lead the scoreboard.

Fedorov noted that the system has gained “tremendous popularity among troops” and exemplifies the growing automation in combat. “The Defense Forces are all aware, and there’s a competition for points to acquire drones, electronic warfare systems, and other equipment that enhances combat effectiveness. The more infantry you take down, the more drones can eliminate additional infantry. It’s becoming a self-sustaining cycle.”

Russian casualties in September were reported to be double those of the previous October, partly due to the Ukrainian government increasing the points awarded for killing Russian infantry from six to twelve, highlighting shifting battlefield priorities.

Ukrainian intelligence suggests that Russia might be developing its own version of this gamification approach. Additionally, Ukraine is expanding the Destroy Points concept to artillery units, providing them with success points that can be used to acquire new armaments. Reconnaissance teams are also earning points for identifying enemy targets, while logistics units are beginning to gain points for utilizing self-driving vehicles in front-line resupply efforts.

Fedorov disclosed that the Ukrainian military is promoting the use of drones partially directed by artificial intelligence, enhancing target selection and controlling the final moments of the drones’ trajectory to boost attack precision.

Scouts accumulate points through a system dubbed “Uber targeting,” reminiscent of the global ride-hailing app.

“Essentially, you drop a pin on a map similar to requesting a ride on an Uber app, but in this case, a drone from a different unit engages the target,” he explained.

Despite the point-based system’s expansion, there are warnings that over-reliance on drone warfare may not be a model for NATO countries to emulate, as Russian defenses against such aerial attacks have become significantly robust. Experts from the Royal United Services Institute have recently highlighted the need for renewed focus on conventional artillery and air support.

In addition to raising the points for infantry kills to align with Russia’s increased deployment of infantry, killing an enemy drone operator grants 25 points, while capturing a Russian soldier with a drone nets 120 points, reflecting Ukraine’s need for prisoners of war for potential exchanges. Although these point values have received official approval, Fedorov mentioned they have become “almost devoid of emotion” in assigning value to human life.

“We’ve been engaged in a war for four consecutive years and it’s been challenging,” he stated. “We aim to enhance effectiveness. We perceive this as part of our regular operations. It’s largely devoid of emotional contemplation. It resembles technical work because if we don’t halt the enemy, they will kill military personnel, and once that happens, they will come for civilians—conquering, destroying, and killing.”

Ukrainian drone operators may be positioned as close as 250 meters to the front lines or as far as three kilometers away, often concealed behind computer screens while directing assaults, sometimes utilizing video game controllers. Achilles is recognized as one of the top 10 successful drone regiments, operating in the eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Commander Yuri Fedorenko noted that the most effective pilots are not necessarily those skilled in video games.

“The best pilots are those with discipline,” he remarked. “Younger individuals may be able to stay awake longer and require less recovery time, but discipline is the hallmark of a good drone operator.”

He also downplayed the notion that this initiative amounts to the “gamification” of warfare, stating that directives are sometimes issued to target low-point objectives to meet immediate combat needs.

“This is war, so our primary focus must be on completing the mission,” he said. “That’s our priority, not chasing points.”

“There’s competition across the unit. Drone operators are in competition with one another. Groups of drone operators compete against other groups. Even the highest-ranking commanders engage in competition,” explained Andrii Poltolatskyi, another commander in the drone unit.

He characterized it more as a constructive competition than a playful one, noting that when Russia initiates an attack, “the competition ceases and everyone… collaborates towards the goal of protecting Ukrainian lives, irrespective of the points involved.”

Fedorov stated that the scoring system has provided valuable data, enhancing Ukraine’s “understanding of the mathematics of war.”

“Thanks to the points, we are beginning to comprehend the realities of the battlefield,” he mentioned. “To earn points, [drone units] must submit a verification video. This way, we gain insights into the targets being engaged, their locations relative to the contact line, and the drones and other assets being utilized.

“This enables us to evaluate what strategies are proving effective and which are not. The leaderboard encourages units to learn from each other. Leaders are beginning to mentor and cultivate emerging talent… Innovation emerges from the ground up.”