In Ukraine, soldiers are utilizing a point-based system inspired by video games to reward successful drone strikes. For instance, they earn 12 points for eliminating a Russian soldier and 40 points for destroying a tank. This system, known as the Brave1 Market, functions as a marketplace where units can access defense technology for sale online. By accumulating points through confirmed kills or capturing enemy soldiers, units can acquire more equipment and drones.
The Brave1 Market, likened to an Amazon-style platform for warfare, was launched in April and expanded in August. Currently, 400 drone units are actively competing for points, with various actions earning different point values. Notably, wounding an enemy soldier garners eight points, while eliminating a specialist drone operator is worth 25 points. Points can also be earned by capturing a Russian soldier alive, with 120 points allocated for this action.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation, expressed support for the system, emphasizing its role in boosting military motivation. However, not all Ukrainian officials are fully comfortable with this approach. Former Ukrainian prosecutor Gyunduz Mamedov emphasized the importance of soldiers returning from war as human beings, not mere killing machines.
Tim Mak, a war correspondent based in Kyiv, defended the system, stating that it provides a transparent method for units to procure military equipment based on their specific needs. He highlighted the flexibility it offers to local commanders in addressing frontline challenges effectively. Although the system has been commended for its innovative approach to military logistics, concerns have been raised regarding the potential gamification of taking human lives.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine persists, with tens of thousands of casualties since the invasion in February 2022, the use of advanced technology like drones has become increasingly prevalent. While Ukraine’s system differs from Russia’s tiered cash incentives for targeting tanks by allowing units to spend points on necessary equipment, ethical considerations regarding the consequences of such a point-based system remain paramount.
Christian Enemark, a professor of International Relations at the University of Southampton, stressed the need to uphold ethical standards in warfare technology advancements. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that these systems adhere to established moral expectations, particularly in distinguishing between combatants and civilians. Despite criticisms, Mak asserted that those not directly experiencing the realities of conflict may overlook the system’s significance in Ukraine’s defense against ongoing threats to its sovereignty.