The images flood in daily, documenting the relentless conflict across Ukraine’s expansive front lines. As Ukrainian forces continue to engage their more powerful Russian adversaries, a new initiative has emerged that gamifies the brutal realities of war. Dubbed "Army of Drones: Bonus," or "e-points," this program incentivizes soldiers to capture confirmed kills on camera, which they can later exchange for equipment.
Every day, units upload drone footage showing their marks on the battlefield—documenting each Russian soldier killed or piece of equipment neutralized. In this system, destruction is quantified like points in a video game, aiming to harness the motivational power of competition amidst the chaos. "The more significant the target, the higher the points awarded," explained Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation. For instance, taking out a multi-rocket launcher garners up to 50 points, while a tank destroyed counts for 40.
Beyond the strategy and analytics, Fedorov emphasized that this initiative serves to bolster morale. Amid the exhaustion of prolonged conflict, rallying troops with a system that rewards them for their accomplishments is vital. "When we adjust point values, we can see shifts in motivation," he commented, highlighting the program's dual purpose.
With approximately 70% of Russian military deaths attributed to drones, this innovation is a testament to how technology shapes modern warfare. Frontline soldiers shared mixed feelings toward the e-points system, with some appreciating the tangible assistance it provides in securing necessary equipment, while others questioned its underlying ethics and the focus on claims rather than collective goals.
One soldier, operating under the callsign Jack from the 22nd Mechanised Brigade, remarked on newfound motivation among troops. “Our lads are worn out; nothing really motivates them anymore. But this system helps,” he said. However, other voices expressed concern about the morality of assigning point values to lives lost, suggesting that it reflects a troubling mindset within the military.
Despite the overarching stress of continuous conflict, commanders are leveraging soldiers' zeal for the program to collect crucial battlefield data. Analysts now categorize strategies based on verified kills, with higher points granted for capturing enemy soldiers rather than killing them, envisioning the potential for future prisoner exchanges.
In a tactical response to Russia’s adaptive strategies, values placed on individual enemy soldiers fluctuate. While rewarding points for kills, the e-points system shifts focus toward maximizing efficiency and strategic advantage.
Ukraine is now integrating its points system into the "Brave 1 Market," likened to an "Amazon for war," enabling troops to purchase supplies directly using their hard-earned points. As Ukrainian forces pioneer innovative tactics, they remain committed to holding their ground, transforming warfare into a competitive, yet grim, numbers game.
