Tanks: 20 Points, Soldiers: 6 Points – Gamification in Ukraine’s War with Rewards for Soldiers

  I’m a civil engineer living in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and here I share topics related to economics and technology. Inevitably, both areas are deeply connected to politics and, in this case, war. The summarized information below is based on a video by Professor HOC, in which he explains a highly effective gamification system adopted by Ukraine to enhance drone performance in combat.It’s impressive how Ukraine has become a symbol of excellence in war strategy. When the country was first invaded, many believed it would quickly fall to Russia—then seen as one of the world’s most powerful and prepared military forces. However, the war has now lasted years, and technology has completely transformed traditional battlefield strategies.Intelligence systems have become essential to success, and with each new strategy revealed, the narrative of this conflict grows even more fascinating.

Summary of Ukraine's Drone Gamification StrategyUkraine has implemented a military gamification system to boost the effectiveness of drone strikes. Real missions are transformed into a point-based game, with units earning scores based on the targets they hit:

• 6 points for each Russian soldier k****d (previously 2 points);

• 20 points for each damaged tank;

• 40 points for each destroyed tank;

• 50 points for each destroyed multiple rocket launcher system.

These scores are public, encouraging competition between units. Points can be exchanged for military equipment (such as drones, ammunition, or signal jammers) at the Brave One Market, an internal shop within the Army of Drones program.

This system provides four major benefits:

1. Encourages competition between units, improving performance.

2. Allows Ukraine to prioritize targets by adjusting the points.

3. Requires documentation of each kill, generating valuable battlefield intelligence.

4. Gives frontline units the autonomy to buy directly from manufacturers what best suits their needs.

   
   

Additionally, after each mission, units evaluate the equipment used, contributing to collective learning about the most effective tools and practices.

Transcript from Professor HOC’s video: "UKRAINE TURNED WAR INTO A VIDEOGAME"[see translated video transcript]

“Ukraine has turned its drone strikes into a gamification system.

Yeah, I know it might sound a bit morbid, but we also have to remember — they're at war.Regardless of that, the system is extremely effective, and the way it’s being implemented is very smart.

The scoring works like this:For every Russian soldier k*****d by a drone… you get 6 points. It used to be 2.For every damaged Russian tank, you get 20 points.For every destroyed Russian tank, 40 points.And for every destroyed multiple rocket launcher system, 50 points.

Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation said that this program has been running for a while now, and all drone units can participate. He also said that when they increased the score for Russian soldiers from 2 to 6, the number of Russian casualties rose significantly.

Moreover, the entire ranking and scoring system is public, which encourages competition between units.

This is all part of a program called Army of Drones, which allows you to exchange those points in a kind of military store — or market — called Brave One Market, to get the equipment you think is most needed for your unit.Some want drones, others want ammo, others want signal jammers.Each unit chooses what to buy and goes straight for what’s most useful for their mission and their goals.

This system has brought several advantages to Ukraine.

First, it creates competition between units, encouraging them to outperform one another.Second, it allows Ukraine to prioritize certain targets. For example, if there’s a need to destroy artillery, they just increase the score for that, and drone attacks naturally — or automatically — shift toward artillery.Third, it forces the units to document their score, which generates valuable field intelligence.And the fourth benefit is that frontline units can purchase directly from manufacturers what’s most important and interesting to them.

In the end, they also post evaluations for each piece of equipment used in every mission, and other units learn what works best and which tools are most effective.

Right now, the leading unit is Madyar' Brovdi — they have over 16,000 points.You can imagine the damage and impact they’re causing.”**