The Ukrainian military has gamified war with Russia by creating a points system for every enemy soldier killed or piece of equipment destroyed, the BBC reported on Friday.
With a scheme piloted last year called “Army of Drones: Bonus" (also known as "e-points”), units in the Ukrainian military can earn points based on the importance of a target.
A kill streak also earns points, just like in popular video games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
"The more strategically important and large-scale the target, the more points a unit receives," a statement from Brave1 reads, as reported by the BBC. Brave1 is a Ukrainian government platform that brings together experts from the government and the military.
"For example, destroying an enemy multiple rocket launch system earns up to 50 points; 40 points are awarded for a destroyed tank and 20 for a damaged one."
Ukraine gamifies war with Russia
Ukrainian soldiers further explained the system to the BBC.
"We have two categories: hit and destroyed," one soldier named by the BBC as Volodia said. "So a different amount of e-points goes to the different categories."
While one would think that killing a Russian soldier would earn more points than surrender, a live prisoner of war is worth ten times the points of a dead one.
"If for one… killed a Russian, you get one point," Volodia said, "if you capture him, you multiply it by 10."
As the Russian tactics have evolved, so has the e-points system. Russia now uses smaller units that operate on foot or with motorbikes to patrol areas in the country.
"Whereas previously the killing of an enemy soldier earned 2 points," a Brave 1 statement read, "now it earns 6."
After over three years of war, Ukraine uses this system to motivate its battle-weary troops.
"I think, first and foremost, it's about quality data, the mathematics of war, and understanding how to use limited resources more effectively," Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation and the creator of the E points scheme, said.
“It's also about motivation. When we change the point values, we can see how motivation changes."
Videos from Ukrainian drones are sent back to Kyiv for evaluation and are awarded a number of points based on a constantly changing set of military priorities.
However, there are mixed reviews on the program’s efficacy.
Some soldiers say that the program allows them to use their limited resources efficiently.
"Once we figured out how it works, it turned out to be quite a decent system," a soldier with the callsign Jack from the 22nd Mechanized Brigade told the BBC.
The 22nd Brigade had three months to get used to the e-points system.
"Our lads are worn out, and nothing really motivates them anymore," Jack said.
"But this system helps. The drones are provided through this program, and the lads get rewarded. It's a decent motivation.”
However, other soldiers said that the innovative system would not stop people from deserting the military, which is a massive issue for Ukraine.
"The fundamental issue of motivation isn't resolved by this," said a soldier whom the BBC identified under his callsign, Snake. "Points won't stop people fleeing from the military."
Fedorov said that a majority of combat units in Ukraine’s military use the system.
"We've started receiving quality information and making decisions based on it," he said.
"By collecting data, we can propose changes, but the foundation is always military strategy."
The Ukrainian military also refined the rewards system to allow soldiers to purchase necessary equipment that they lack.
Before, they used to be able to exchange points for cash. Now, Ukrainian soldiers use the Brave1 market or the “Amazon for war” to purchase items.
The Brave1 market works in tandem with traditional channels for military weapons procurement. It’s hoped that the system will allow soldiers to get their preferred weapons or components.