Ukraine’s military has introduced a computer game-style drone system that has gone “viral” among troops, rewarding points for successful strikes that can be exchanged for weapons and drones. The Army of Drones Bonus System is now being extended to artillery, reconnaissance, and logistics operations, according to Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.
The program, launched over a year ago, allows drone teams to compete for points, which can be spent in an online store called Brave1, stocked with over 100 types of drones, autonomous vehicles, and other equipment. Teams with names like Achilles and Phoenix lead the leaderboard, encouraging healthy competition among units.
In September, drone teams using the system killed or wounded 18,000 Russian soldiers, nearly doubling the figure from the previous year. Ukrainian officials credited part of the increase to higher rewards: points for killing infantry doubled from six to twelve, reflecting evolving battlefield priorities.
The points-for-kills system is expanding. Artillery units earn points for effective strikes, reconnaissance teams for spotting targets, and logistics units for using autonomous vehicles instead of human resupply teams. Artificial intelligence also assists operators, helping select targets and control drone trajectories for precision strikes.
Units use a feature dubbed “Uber targeting,” which allows soldiers to “drop a pin” on a map, with a drone from another unit hitting the target—similar to ordering a ride via a ride-hailing app.
Despite the gamified nature, Ukrainian commanders stress the focus remains on achieving military objectives rather than chasing points. Units work collaboratively when offensive operations require coordination, pausing competition to prioritize protecting lives and securing territory.
The system has generated valuable battlefield data, enabling commanders to analyze drone performance, target effectiveness, and overall operational efficiency. Video confirmation from each strike feeds into the system, helping troops learn from each other and improve tactics from the ground up.
Fedorov said the system is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to increase automation in warfare. While the approach has been criticized as controversial, it provides insights into the mathematics of war and encourages innovation among frontline soldiers.
