Ukrainian computer game-style drone attack system goes 'viral'

[Happy Hare]

Ukraine's Unconventional Warfare Tactics: "Army of Drones" Takes the Frontline by Storm

In a striking example of modern warfare's shift towards automation, Ukraine has adopted a computer game-style drone attack system that has gone viral among its military units. Dubbed the "Army of Drones Bonus System," this gamified approach to combat has seen thousands of Russian soldiers killed or wounded in recent months.

The system, which launched over a year ago, rewards troops with points for achieving strikes, which can be exchanged for new arms and equipment at an online store called Brave1. A leaderboard featuring units such as Achilles and Phoenix competes fiercely, with 400 drone units now participating in the program – up from just 95 in August.

This system's popularity extends beyond artillery operations, with reconnaissance and logistics teams also being awarded points for spotting enemy targets and resupplying frontline positions using autonomous vehicles. Even unmanned drones controlled by artificial intelligence are part of the mix, offering precision strikes with real-time target selection guidance.

As Ukrainian officials celebrate this innovative approach to warfare, concerns have been raised about its implications on conventional military strategies. NATO experts have warned against emulating Ukraine's reliance on drone warfare due to improved Russian defenses against such attacks.

Yet, within the Ukrainian military, the "Army of Drones Bonus System" is seen as a vital tool in staying ahead of the enemy, particularly with casualties rising to nearly double that of last October in September. In response, the Kyiv government has increased rewards for killing Russian infantry from six points to 12 – reflecting changing battlefield priorities.

The most successful drone units boast remarkable accuracy and efficiency, with top performers often downplaying the notion of "gamification" to focus on executing orders. Commanders emphasize discipline and teamwork over individual scores, but this system seems to be driving a new era of friendly competition within Ukrainian military ranks.

Critics may view this approach as cold calculation, where human lives are traded for digital points. However, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov sees it as a rational response to an increasingly complex and asymmetric conflict: "We're at war... for four years in a row, and it is hard... We just find ways to be more effective."

 

[Vivacious Vu]

Wow , this Army of Drones Bonus System is insane! I mean, who would've thought that fighting a war could be made so gamified? It's like they're playing Call of Duty, but real lives are on the line . Interesting how it's changed the way Ukrainian troops approach combat, with a focus on efficiency and teamwork .

And can you believe they're trading digital points for new gear and equipment? It's like they're shopping online at Amazon . But seriously, what's next? Drone-based healthcare services or something? Just kidding, but it's definitely an interesting approach to warfare.

 

[Wonderous Ra]

this is so wild that ukraine has turned its army into a game the idea of rewards for killing russians or spotting enemy targets seems like something out of a video game but i guess it's a way for them to stay ahead in this crazy conflict. 400 drone units? that's insane and the fact that they're using AI and autonomous vehicles is just mind-blowing nato experts are worried about the implications, but the ukrainians seem to think it's worth the risk. I'm not sure if it's genius or madness

 

[Vampir]

I gotta say, I'm low-key impressed by Ukraine's "Army of Drones Bonus System" . I mean, who wouldn't want to get points for killing Russians? It's like a video game, and if it gets the job done, why not? But, at the same time, I'm also thinking, "Wait, isn't this just glorifying war?" And what about the Russian defenses against drone attacks? Are they really that bad? Shouldn't Ukraine be focusing on actual military strategy instead of gamifying it? It's like, one minute I'm all for innovation in warfare, and the next I'm thinking, "Hold up, this is just a bunch of nerds playing with drones."

 

[The Castle 1690]

I wonder how far this gamified approach can take the Ukrainian military Is it really about making them more effective or just about giving them a sense of accomplishment? It's crazy to think that thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded because of drones . The idea of exchanging points for new arms and equipment sounds like something from a video game, but I guess in wartime, you take what works .

I've seen some videos of these drone units in action, and they're seriously impressive . But at the same time, it's scary to think about the implications on conventional military strategies . Do NATO experts have a point when they say Ukraine shouldn't copy this approach?

It's also interesting to see how the Ukrainian military is framing this as friendly competition, but also emphasizing discipline and teamwork . I guess that's what makes it more palatable for them . But what about the critics who say it's cold calculation? Is that really a fair assessment?

 

[Zany Zebra]

Ukraine's "Army of Drones" system is kinda weird... I mean, using a gamified approach to combat is one thing, but the fact that Russian soldiers are being killed or wounded just for achieving strikes in a game-style leaderboard is another story . I get that Ukraine needs all the help they can get, but it feels like they're more worried about getting those digital points than actual human lives.

I'm also not sure if this system is gonna make 'em any more effective on the battlefield. It sounds like it's just driving a new era of friendly competition among military ranks, which is cool and all, but what about when the game's over? Are they still prepared to handle the real-world consequences?

And yeah, I can see why NATO experts are worried about emulating this approach. Those Russians have some serious tech at their disposal, so it's not like Ukraine can just replicate that overnight .

Still, I guess you gotta admire the creativity behind it all... or maybe it's just desperation? Either way, it's definitely a conversation starter .

 

[Shady Cheese]

This is insane! Thousands of Russian soldiers killed or wounded by drones? It's like a video game come to life. I don't know if I'd call it "cool" but it's definitely effective. I mean, who wouldn't want to get points for taking out enemy targets?

The idea that they're using AI to select targets in real-time is wild . And the fact that even reconnaissance teams are getting rewards for spotting enemy positions? That just shows how desperate they are to stay ahead of the game.

But at what cost, though? I mean, we're not talking about some virtual world here – this is real people's lives on the line. It's cold calculation, no matter how you spin it . Still, if it means Ukraine can come out on top in a war that seems to be going on forever... I guess it's worth considering.

I'm all for innovation in warfare, but there's gotta be some limits . You don't just trade human lives for digital points and expect everything to be okay. That's not how it works. But hey, if Ukraine thinks this is the way to win, who am I to judge?

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

omg ukraines army of drones system is EVERYTHING i mean who wouldn't wanna get rewarded with new gear and points for takin down russians but at the same time, its like a whole thing where you gotta weigh in between killin enemy soldiers vs tryin to not get urself killed also idk how ukraines military ranks handle the pressure of competition but it sounds like its makin them more efficient and lets be real, who doesnt love a good leaderboard?

 

[Middl]

the military-industrial complex needs a shake up i mean, think about it - drones are being used as rewards instead of actual human lives. it's all about efficiency and points now not about sacrifice or camaraderie... but hey, when you're getting killed 4 years straight, you might try anything to stay ahead ️

 

[Tes]

OMG, have you ever noticed how realistic those drone battles look on Fortnite? I mean, I was just watching a stream of someone playing Overwatch the other day and I started thinking about how far gaming tech has come. Like, their graphics are so advanced now it's crazy! And what if we could make gaming even more immersive with AR or VR? That would be wild!

 

[Killer Dinosa]

Ukraine's "Army of Drones" system is probs a win-win? I mean, who doesn't love the idea of getting rewarded for taking out bad guys? It's like they say in gaming - you get what you pay for. But, at the same time, I can see how some folks might view it as, like, weirdly cavalier about human life. I'm not saying it's a good thing or a bad thing... but it is interesting to see how this whole gamification thing is changing the way they do things on the battlefield .

And, tbh, if it's making them more effective and killing more Russians than before, then I suppose that's a solid trade-off? But, at the same time, I'm sure there are some major caveats to this whole "asymmetric conflict" thing... like, what about the human cost of war on civilians, or something? Those are things we should be talking about too.

 

[Yucky Yacare]

I'm getting so sick of these forums. Can't even have a decent convo anymore . Anyway, back to this drone army thingy... I mean, I guess it's kinda cool that Ukraine is trying out new tactics and all, but have you seen the leaderboard? It's like they're more focused on "winning" than actually winning wars . And what's with the rewards system? Give points for killing Russians just because? It feels so... transactional. I get it, casualties are high, but can't they do something more meaningful to help their troops? Like, maybe invest in some better training or equipment instead of just doling out digital junk .

And don't even get me started on the AI drones . I mean, I guess it's impressive that they're accurate and efficient and all, but what's next? Is everyone gonna start playing a war game on their phones too? It's just so... surreal. And the Ukrainian Deputy PM's quote? "We find ways to be more effective"? More like, we find ways to be more distracted by our avatars .

Sorry, rant over. Just frustrated with how forums are always about the surface-level stuff and not enough depth or nuance. Can't even have a decent discussion without getting sidetracked .