Gamifying Warfare: Ukraine's New Drone Incentive Program

As fighting continues in Ukraine, a new scheme turns conflict into a ranking game, offering rewards based on military victories.

Ukrainian soldiers are now being incentivized through a unique point-based system that allows them to trade verified kills of enemy soldiers and destroyed equipment for points, which can be used to acquire new military gear. This innovative program, known as "Army of Drones: Bonus" or "e-points," builds on a concept first tested last year, and aims to maximize the effectiveness of Ukraine’s military against a larger adversary.

The system tallies points similarly to a video game, awarding higher points for strategically valuable targets. As outlined by Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, destroyed enemy equipment like rocket launchers and tanks yields significant point totals – 50 points for a confirmed launch system kill and 40 points for a tank.

The initiative not only motivates troops by gamifying combat, but is also used to gather critical data about military strategies and resource allocation. Fedorov emphasizes that these metrics are essential for effective decision-making on the battlefield. As drones play a crucial role in the conflict, they are credited with causing 70% of Russian casualties. Screened drone footage has become integral to this new model of warfare, providing evidence for point distribution and enhancing combat morale.

Feedback from frontline soldiers reveals a mixed reception. Some, like Volodymyr from the 108th Territorial Defence Brigade, appreciate the program for replenishing lost equipment while demoralized troops like "Jack" from the 22nd Mechanized Brigade find that the rewards are helping to motivate their peers. However, concerns remain. A soldier identified as "Snake" argues that the program doesn’t holistically address the underlying motivation issues among troops, while another responder, Dymytro, criticizes the moral implications and competitiveness that the scheme introduces.

As the ongoing war enters its fourth year, the e-points program is adapting alongside military tactics, with adjustments being made based on the evolving battlefield dynamics. For instance, capturing Russian soldiers now earns ten times more points than simply killing them, highlighting a shift to capture for negotiation purposes.

The system is further expanding with the introduction of the "Brave 1 Market," likened to an “Amazon for war,” where troops can directly spend their e-points on over 1,600 military items, facilitating faster and more efficient acquisitions of essential supplies.

While the gamification of warfare may raise ethical questions, it encapsulates Ukraine's commitment to utilizing innovative strategies in a dire situation to ensure military resilience and effectiveness.