Ukraine has a system for incentivizing drone operators under which units receive points for striking Russian targets. According to The Washington Post, the accumulated points can then be used to obtain new equipment.

According to the newspaper, the scheme operates as part of the «Army of Drones» program. Kiev calls it the first system of its kind in the world. Points are awarded for striking Russian servicemen, equipment, artillery pieces and other targets. After that, units can exchange them for new drones through a special platform.

Andrey Gritsenyuk, CEO of the Ukrainian agency Brave1, explained that the logic of the program is built on a direct dependency: the more targets are hit, the more points are awarded. The Washington Post writes that at least two videos are required to confirm a claim. At the same time, the publication separately noted that it could not independently verify the authenticity of some of the submitted materials.

The exact point value of each target is classified. The publication says Ukrainian social media previously mentioned a rate of 12 points for striking one infantryman.

The list of targets for which Ukrainian units receive points is constantly expanding. According to WP, it now includes snipers, small air defense groups, mobile crews and drone operators. Drone operators are valued higher than ordinary infantry.

The newspaper links the launch of this system to changes in the nature of combat operations. Ukrainian officials claim that Russian troops have begun moving equipment farther away from the line of contact, while on some axes they are more often using small infantry groups. WP notes that both sides are increasingly using aerial, ground and naval unmanned systems. According to analysts, drones are having an ever stronger impact on the course of fighting and are expanding the strike zone along the front.