Kill Russians, win points: Is Ukraine's new drone scheme gamifying war?
Original Publish Date: July 18, 2025
Ukraine's recent drone strikes have brought attention to a new program that gamifies combat. With a score-based ranking system, this innovative approach could revolutionize how we think about warfare and conflict.
In late June, Ukrainian officials debuted an innovative strategy to bolster citizen engagement in their resistance to Russian occupation. The country is facing attacks on critical infrastructure, prompting widespread blackouts, and officials are striving to revitalize morale and citizen involvement in the conflict. This new initiative aims to assign "points" for individuals and groups who contribute to the defense of the nation in various ways, such as joining the military, volunteering, or participating in civil defense activities. The project's lead, Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, described it as "a new type of motivation for the society."
This concept, although not yet government-led, appears to be gaining traction. The development of mobile apps and a dedicated website may allow individuals to track their region's performance and progress. According to experts, similar initiatives could potentially revolutionize how we understand and respond to conflicts.
Whether this concept will be successful remains to be seen. Yet there's little doubt that it raises profound questions about the gamification of warfare and the potential implications for societies under siege.
