Drone Units in Ukraine Earn Points for Strikes Through Military Marketplace

Ukrainian military drone units are competing in a high-stakes program where verified kills against Russian targets earn points that can be traded for new unmanned systems and gear. The initiative — part of Kyiv’s Army of Drones program and its online Brave1 Market — reflects both the growing centrality of drone warfare and Ukraine’s effort to streamline defense procurement during the grinding frontline battles.

Drones Reshape the Battlefield in Eastern Ukraine

On the eastern front near Pokrovsk, the UAV Forces Battalion of the 59th Assault Brigade, led by a commander with the call sign Condor, has become one of Ukraine’s most successful drone units. Condor’s operators often fly within 1,500 feet (450 m) of Russian positions. He estimates that 90% of his unit’s strikes rely on drones, underscoring how unmanned systems now dominate frontline engagements.

“Only technology allows us to win,” Condor told The Philadelphia Inquirer. His unit employs a mix of aerial drones and “land drones” — small robotic carts that deliver ammunition, resupply troops, and evacuate the wounded. With Russian fiber-optic drones proving resistant to electronic jamming, adapting technology remains critical.

Military Kill Points System Rewards Drone Efficiency

The government’s Army of Drones bonus program was launched in 2024 to incentivize battlefield innovation. Units earn “e-points” for verified strikes — from soldiers eliminated to vehicles destroyed — which they can exchange for drones, parts, and other equipment. Every kill is authenticated with drone footage, creating a real-time verification chain.

The point values shift as the conflict evolves. As of mid-2025, knocking out a Russian tank earns 8 points, while eliminating a drone pilot nets 25. Condor’s records show his battalion averaged a 10-to-1 kill ratio in recent months. “Every day at least 14 are eliminated,” he said, pointing to his whiteboard tally of confirmed kills.

Each month, Ukraine publishes a leaderboard of top drone units. Condor’s team ranked first in January and sixth in May.

Brave1 Market: An “Amazon for the Military”

Points earned feed directly into the Brave1 Market, an online catalog offering more than 1,000 products from domestic drone manufacturers. “Call it an Amazon for the military,” said Artem Moroz, head of investor relations at Brave1. Units use their points to source quadcopters, fixed-wing UAVs, sensors, robotic ground systems, and replacement parts.

The platform is designed to bypass Ukraine’s traditional defense bureaucracy, enabling frontline units to request what they need faster. Soon, the catalog will feature a review system, allowing soldiers to rate purchased systems based on battlefield performance.

Strategic Stakes: Technology and Investment

While the points competition helps motivate exhausted operators, Condor emphasized deeper concerns: Russia’s vast industrial capacity and state backing for military technology. He warned that Ukraine risks losing its edge without accelerated Western investment in drone production.

“We need European investment in drone production badly. It is the basis for our whole victory,” Condor said. “We are like a Polygon for Europe… It is criminal for the United States to pass up the opportunity to learn more from Ukraine as well.”

DroneXL’s Take

Ukraine’s gamified points system for drone warfare reflects a radical shift in military logistics and frontline incentives. By directly linking confirmed kills and target types with resource allocation, the program rewards battlefield effectiveness while reinforcing the central role of drones in modern conflict.

Yet, critical questions remain: Is a kill-based incentive system sustainable in the long term, especially given the psychological toll on drone operators? Can the Brave1 Market scale fast enough to counter Russia’s industrial advantage? And as Ukraine positions itself as a testing ground for Europe, will Western partners step up investments — or miss a chance to prepare for next-generation wars?

What do you think about Ukraine’s “Amazon for drones” model? Could similar systems shape future military procurement worldwide? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of Forbes and Brave1 Market.