Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has introduced an innovative drone attack system that has gained significant attention and engagement among military personnel. This unusual programme unusually compensates fighters with slugs because of their accurate strikes. It’s intended to improve operational efficiency while encouraging a healthy competitive spirit between drone companies. The system that opened a little over a year ago took off quickly. It allows member drone pilots to trade in their earned points for new weapons, directly incentivizing continued participation in the perpetual war.
The points-for-kills system is already affecting military operations in tangible and dangerous ways. Soldiers acquire points by killing Russian troops, knocking out enemy drone operators, or, in some cases, rescuing Russian fighters. For example, killing an enemy drone operator gets you just 25 points. By comparison, taking a Russian infantryman prisoner can increase your unit’s morale by up to 120 points! Just in September, teams racing against this new regulation were credited with killing or injuring around 18,000 members of the Russian armed forces.
The competition maintains a publicly viewable leaderboard to showcase where each team stands in performance. Familiar names such as Achilles and Phoenix leap to the forefront. Achilles unit leader Yuriy Fedorenko is at the frontlines. This new electronic warfare elite drone regiment is one of the most successful ten regiments active today in the eastern fronts of Kharkiv and Donetsk. That’s because the unit typically works in close proximity to frontlines. Commercial drone operators can be placed on the battlefield as close as 250 meters, often sitting up to 3 kilometers away from live combat.
Fedorov shared details on how the points-based system improves analysis of battlefield changes. “Thanks to the points, we’re actually starting to understand more about what’s happening in the battlefield,” he stated. The information gathered under this initiative assists military planners to make more informed strategic decisions on target selection and engagement effectiveness.
Drones in these operations require artificial intelligence for semi-autonomy. This artificial intelligence determines which targets to target, and guides drones in the final moments of each drone’s flight. “In order to get points, [drone units] need to upload video confirmation. So we understand what targets are being hit, where they’re being hit in relation to the line of contact, what drones and other means are being used,” Fedorov added.
The one-upsmanship of this highly competitive yet wholly supportive system encourages incredible collaboration between drone teams. “The whole unit has a competition. The drone operators compete with each other. Groups of drone operators compete with other groups. Even the highest commanders compete with each other,” said Andriy Poltoratskyi, emphasizing the spirit of healthy competition encouraged by the initiative.
Fedorov elaborated on the tactical mindset that drives this approach: “We’re just finding ways to be more effective. We’re thinking of this as just part of our everyday job. There’s little to no emotional reflection here. It feels like just technical work.” What was even more compelling though was his focus on how urgent their mission was. He later cautioned that not stopping through enemy advances might have disastrous results on civilians.
The system continuing to grow and increase what all it can do. Beyond drone attacks, it will soon address reconnaissance operations, artillery support, and logistics management. The adaptation of modern technology to enhance military strategies reflects Ukraine’s commitment to leveraging innovation in its ongoing defense efforts.
This points-for-kills system has led to explosive growth in the youth, competitive and recreational participation. Active drone units have more than quadrupled—from 95 in August to 400 today, and still growing in number and competitive spirit! This increase reflects a shift toward investing more heavily in drone warfare as a definitive and accurate combat option towards enemy combatants.
Fedorov concluded by reiterating the importance of understanding warfare’s complexities: “We’re at war for four years in a row, and it is hard.” His remarks underscore the continuous effort by Ukrainian forces to refine their tactics and maintain a strategic edge on the battlefield.