Paul Adams
Kyiv’s diplomatic correspondent
BBC/Xavier VanPevenaege
Ukrainian soldiers can trade videos of confirmed kills for points that can be used to purchase equipment
Images are included every day. Thousands of them.
Men and equipment are cornered along Ukraine’s long-standing frontline. Everything was filmed, logged and counted.
And now the Ukrainian army is trying to extract all the advantages it can make against a much stronger enemy, so it still uses them.
Under a scheme first attempted last year and called “Military Drones: Bonus” (also known as “e-Points”), units can earn points for each Russian soldier killed or destroyed equipment.
Point Average Award, like Killstreak in Call of Duty, or a video game show in the 1970s.
“The more strategically important and larger the target, the more points the more units receive,” reads a statement from the Brave 1 team that brings together government and military experts.
“For example, if you destroy multiple enemy rocket launch systems, you will earn up to 50 points. You will receive 40 points for destroyed tanks and 20 points for damaged tanks.”
This is called war gamification.
Each uploaded video is carefully analyzed on Kyiv and points are awarded according to constantly evolving military priorities.
“First and foremost, I think it’s about understanding quality data, war mathematics and how to use limited resources more effectively,” says the man behind Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Minister of Digital Change.
BBC/Xavier VanPevenaege
Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, shows BBC’s Paul Adams how the system works
But after three and a half years of crushing, a full-scale war, the system has another important use.
“That’s about motivation,” Fedorov says. “Changing the point value gives you a sense of how motivation changes.”
Fedorov’s office features dozens of live feeds from Ukrainian drones flying over the frontline, and a huge video screen.
Together, the feed gives a clear glimpse into the drone war in Ukraine. This makes the commander claim that flying robots account for an estimated 70% of all deaths and injuries in Russia.
From the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, social media feeds have been filled with drone videos, usually set to soundtracks for heavy metal music.
Tank turrets, explode with flame balls. Dodges a lonely soldier, a drone attacking with a rifle or stick.
It can make a scary viewing. Each video celebrating the death of your partner. When the drone explodes, the video becomes blurred.
But beyond harsh satisfaction, the frontline units of fierce cuts operate in the knowledge that evidence of their exploitation can bring rewards to them.
BBC/Xavier VanPevenaege
Units can spend their hard-earned points on the new equipment of the government website, brave1
The BBC reached out to more than a dozen units to find out what frontlines the soldiers are creating in the scheme. The responses were mixed.
“In general, my comrades and I are positive,” said Volodimia, a soldier of the 108th Territorial Defense Brigade. He asked us not to use his last name.
When frontline units burn equipment, especially attack drones, at fierce speeds, volodymyr says the e-points scheme has been proven useful.
“This is a way to make up for what we lose… whilst giving the enemy the losses as effectively as possible.”
The 22nd Mechanized Brigade, currently fighting in the northeastern part of the country, had about three months to get used to the new system.
“When I realized how it worked, it turned out to be a pretty decent system,” the soldier on the 22nd told Callign Jack.
“Our young people are exhausted and there’s nothing really motivates them anymore,” Jack said. “But this system is useful. Drones are offered through this program and young people are rewarded. That’s a decent motivation.”
But others aren’t that sure.
Getty Images
Three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian army is exhausted
“This hasn’t solved the basic issues of motivation,” said the soldier who asked to be identified by his call sign, Snake.
“Point doesn’t stop people fleeing the army.”
The soldiers who identified themselves with Dymytro complained that the units were spending too much time trying to claim each other’s hits to score more points, or intentionally attacking already disabled Russian vehicles.
For Dymytro, the entire concept seemed morally questionable.
“This system is merely the result of our twisted mental habit of turning everything into profit,” complained Dimirtoro, “even our own terrible death.”
However, the e-point scheme is typical of the way Ukraine fights this war. This is a creative, out-of-box thinking designed to make the most of the country’s innovative skills and minimize the effects of numerical disadvantages.
Fedorov says that between 90 and 95% of combat units are currently participating, providing a stable flow of useful data.
“We got quality information and started making decisions based on that,” he says.
“We can propose changes by collecting data, but the foundation is always a military strategy.”
BBC/Xavier VanPevenaege
Mykhailo Fedorov says the government is using data to make strategic decisions
In Kyiv’s anonymous office block, we met some of the analysts whose job is pouring footage, checking each hit, and checking award points with the person in charge.
I was asked not to reveal the location or use my real name.
“There are two categories: hits and destruction,” Voldia said. “Therefore, different amounts of epoints will be in different categories.”
It turns out that encouraging Russian soldiers to surrender is worth more points than killing one person.
“If you kill one… Russians, you get one point,” Volodia said, “If you catch him, you’re multiplying it by ten.”
The Volodia team analyzes thousands of hits every day.
“The most difficult part is the artillery,” he said, showing us a video of drones skillfully navigating the trees and trench where guns are hidden.
“Russians are very good at digging in secret.”
As Russian tactics evolve, so does e-point systems.
Increased use of small probe units in Moscow, walking or riding a motorcycle means that the value of individual soldiers has increased compared to tanks and other armored vehicles.
“Previously, killing enemy soldiers earned two points,” Brave 1’s statement read, “Now earning six.”
And enemy drone operators are always more valuable than the drone itself.
The reward system is also sophisticated.
Until now, units have been able to convert points into cash. This is used by many people to use it along with crowd procurement to purchase the additional equipment they need.
Currently, the E-Points system is directly integrated into what is called The Brave 1 Market, and designers describe it as “Amazon for War.”
Soldiers browse over 1,600 products, use accumulated points, purchase items directly from the manufacturer, leave reviews, and the Ministry of Defense then picks up the tabs.
The Brave 1 market is designed to sit with traditional and tedious military procurement rather than replacing it. The hope is that from drones to components to unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), you can quickly access the desired items that can evacuate injured soldiers from dangerous frontline positions.
Kill points. Amazon for war. To some ears, it may all sound cruel.
However, this is a war and Ukraine is determined to retain it. By fighting as effectively and efficiently as possible.
