In a conflict defined by innovation and desperation, Ukraine has unveiled one of its most controversial tactics yet: a gamified combat reward system that offers troops points for confirmed Russian kills and equipment destruction. Dubbed the “Army of Drones: Bonus” or “e-points”, the initiative turns battlefield achievements into currency, allowing soldiers to purchase vital gear from an online military marketplace.
The scheme, spearheaded by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, is both a data-gathering tool and a morale booster, blending cutting-edge military tech with psychological warfare. Soldiers earn e-points by uploading video evidence of destroyed Russian targets—from tanks and rocket launchers to individual soldiers.
Points are awarded based on the strategic value of the hit. A destroyed rocket launcher, for instance, might earn 50 points; a damaged tank, 20. The more important the target, the higher the reward.
“It’s about motivation,” says Mykhailo Fedorov, the minister leading the project. “When we change point values, we see motivation shift immediately. It’s not just about footage—it’s about efficiency, data, and morale.”
Gamifying the Front Line
In a war where manpower and equipment are stretched thin, Ukraine has leaned heavily on drones. Officials claim 70% of Russian casualties now result from drone warfare, turning every drone pilot into a frontline sniper with a joystick. But while grim, the e-points system has a clear function: keep soldiers engaged, reward effective combat, and fuel innovation.
The concept is reminiscent of video games like Call of Duty, where killstreaks unlock bonuses. However, in Ukraine, the rewards are real: drones, parts, body armor, and even unmanned ground vehicles for casualty evacuation. The program is now integrated with the Brave 1 Market, an online store where fighters can “shop” for over 1,600 battlefield tools. It’s war logistics meets Amazon.
Still, it’s not without critics.
Mixed Reactions Among Troops
Some frontline soldiers welcome the system. In interviews, fighters from the 108th Territorial Defence Brigade and 22nd Mechanized Brigade called it “motivating” and “effective,” especially as drones and gear are consumed rapidly in combat.
“This helps us replace what we lose while hitting the enemy hard,” said one soldier.
Others, however, express discomfort or skepticism. One soldier, call sign Snake, dismissed the program as a bandaid for deeper problems like burnout and lack of rest.
“Points won’t stop people from fleeing,” he said bluntly.
Another soldier, Dymytro, raised concerns about integrity: units competing for kills, or targeting already-disabled vehicles to gain points. “It’s profit from death,” he said. “A twisted mental habit turned into policy.”
Strategic Data, Not Just Death Tolls
Behind the scenes, analysts in Kyiv sift through thousands of drone videos daily. Their task: confirm each kill, assign value, and separate “hit” from “destroyed.” The system rewards capturing Russian troops even more than killing them—10 points for a POW vs. 1 for a confirmed kill—due to potential prisoner exchanges.
“The hardest part is verifying artillery,” said one analyst, who requested anonymity. “The Russians are getting better at hiding.”
The data collected doesn’t just reward soldiers—it informs strategy. As Russian tactics evolve, so does the e-points algorithm. Increased use of small infantry units has made individual soldiers more valuable. The kill value of a Russian soldier has recently been tripled, from 2 to 6 points.
A System Born of Necessity
Fedorov defends the system as a modern, necessary solution to an old problem: how to fight smarter when outgunned and outmanned.
“This is how Ukraine fights,” he said. “Creative, adaptive, efficient.”
Critics may call it cold, even brutal—but in a war that has lasted over three years with no end in sight, Ukrainian officials argue there is no room for sentimentality. Every drone strike, every kill, and every bite of data is another chance to level the battlefield.
