25 points for killing a Russian drone operator, 120 points for capturing a Russian soldier… The Ukrainian military’s ‘game-style’ attack and reward system introduced in drone units is spreading to reconnaissance, artillery, and logistics operations. As units compete to buy equipment with points earned by striking Russian forces, Russian casualties have risen sharply. With the prolonged war intersecting with advances in drone technology, concerns are growing that the dehumanization of war is deepening.

According to the Guardian on the 3rd (local time), units competing under the ‘Drone Unit Bonus System’ killed or wounded 18,000 Russian troops in September. The number of drone units participating in the competition increased from 95 in August to 400.

Introduced about a year ago, the system awards points to soldiers who successfully carry out attacks. Those points can be used to purchase weapons and equipment such as drones and autonomous vehicles from an online arms store. The military also publishes a monthly list of the top 10 drone units. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation, said, “This system is very popular among units,” adding, “Competition is fierce to secure drones and other assets that will help in combat.”

The near doubling of Russian casualties in September compared with last October is seen as partly influenced by this system. Reflecting battlefield priorities, the Ukrainian government raised the reward points for killing Russian infantry from 6 to 12. The points for killing infantry were only 2 when the system was first introduced, then reportedly increased to 6 last October and to 12 in May.

The Guardian reported that the far greater points for capturing (120 points) rather than killing (5 points) a Russian drone operator reflect Ukraine’s need for prisoners to use as bargaining chips in negotiations with Russia. The bonus system, including reward points adjusted according to battlefield conditions and changes in Russian tactics, is decided by the Ukrainian parliament. Ukraine’s intelligence service estimates that Russia is developing a similar reward system of its own.

In response to concerns that the system ‘gamifies’ war by putting a price on lives, the Ukrainian military says it is “simply looking for ways to fight more efficiently.” Minister Fedorov said, “We are in our fourth year of war, and it is really difficult,” adding, “There is hardly any emotional reflection. If we do not stop them, the enemy will kill our troops and then come to the cities to massacre civilians.” He added, “Thanks to the scoring system, we have come to understand better what is happening on the battlefield.”