Kathmandu— The practice of awarding points to Ukrainian drone operators for confirmed kills of Russian soldiers has been labeled “macabre” by the UK’s chief of the Defense Staff, Richard Knighton. In an essay published Tuesday in Heywood Quarterly, Knighton detailed a visit to a Ukrainian drone unit near Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) and described a system where drone-captured footage is used to tally ‘kill scores.’ The scheme, launched in spring 2025, allows units to exchange points earned for destroying enemy equipment or personnel for new drones through an online marketplace. Knighton expressed discomfort with the gamification of killing, while others have warned it could dehumanize operators.

Drone Warfare and the ‘Army of Drones Bonus’

Ukraine's 'Army of Drone Bonus,' initiated in 2025 by then-Minister of Digital Transformation Mikhail Fedorov, operates as a points-based reward system for drone units. Units submit verified evidence—typically drone footage—of destroyed Russian hardware or killed soldiers to receive points. These points function as military currency redeemable on Brave1 Market, a state-run e-commerce platform described by Fedorov as the “Amazon for War.”

Point Values and Marketplace Dynamics

The value of targets varies within the system; artillery pieces and enemy soldiers each carry different point values. In 2025, a light FPV drone could be purchased for two points, while a heavier Vampire model cost 43 points. Notably, one Russian soldier’s life was evaluated at just 12 points—an increase from four earlier in the program. The system also includes a leaderboard recognizing top-performing units, with awards presented in ceremonies resembling e-sports tournaments.

Ethical Concerns and Dehumanization

Knighton admitted finding the gamification of killing “uncomfortable, even macabre.” Former Ukrainian prosecutor Gynduz Mamedov echoed these concerns, warning that the system could dehumanize drone operators. “We want our people to come back from the war as human beings, not as killing machines,” he said, according to Time magazine. Russian officials have also accused Ukraine of deliberately dehumanizing both soldiers and civilians, citing instances of alleged torture and abuse.

Accusations of Dehumanization

Russia has repeatedly accused Kyiv of fostering a climate that dehumanizes Russian personnel and citizens, pointing to reported cases of mistreatment and inflammatory statements from Ukrainian officials calling for the deaths of Russians. These accusations add another layer of complexity to the ethical debate surrounding Ukraine’s drone program.

The ‘Army of Drones Bonus’ remains active as part of Ukraine's ongoing defense efforts, though its long-term impact on operators and the broader conduct of warfare continues to be debated.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.