Ukraine finally finds a way to push back Russia and reclaim its land. This is how foreign gamers are playing a crucial role in the objective

Time of India

13-05-2025

Ukraine is training foreign gamers to become drone pilots in its fight against Russia. Using skills gained through video games, recruits from the US, UK, and other countries are helping Ukraine target enemy positions.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Video Game Skills Applied to Warfare
Volunteers Arrive from Several Countries
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Support from the UK and Beyond
Training and Evaluation Process
FAQs
Ukraine is turning to foreign volunteers with video gaming backgrounds to operate drones in its ongoing war against Russia. Many of these recruits have no military experience but bring skills from gaming that make them suitable for controlling drones, a report said.Oleg Grabovyy, a course coordinator for Ukraine's 25th Airborne Brigade , told The Independent about how experience with gaming controllers helps new drone pilots . He said the precision required in video games matches the control needed to fly FPV (first-person view) drones. According to him, some of the best pilots started as regular gamers.Many volunteers come from countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia and France. These individuals joined the brigade since the start of the war in 2022. More have arrived in recent months as Western military support for Ukraine declined. The brigade started a three-week course to train these volunteers in drone operations.One volunteer, a 20-year-old American named Sam, used to compete in drone-racing events across the US. He joined the Ukrainian effort to apply his skills on the battlefield. Sam told the media outlet that he plans to remain in Ukraine until the war ends, despite concerns from his parents.Grabovyy noted that many enlistees have Ukrainian roots and joined during periods when Western support appeared uncertain. They want to support Ukraine, even without combat experience. He added that the volunteers are usually young, often in their late teens or early twenties.Not all volunteers are American. A British recruit named Garreth left his job at the National Health Service to help. He holds an electronic engineering degree and said his background in electronics and gaming made him a good candidate for drone work.Those who complete the initial three-week course move on to basic training, which lasts six weeks. The purpose is to separate serious fighters from those not suited for combat.Ukraine found that gamers' hand-eye coordination and controller skills transfer well to drone piloting, offering a tactical advantage without traditional military training.Volunteers complete a three-week course followed by basic training. Those who do not meet standards are removed to ensure readiness for frontline drone operations.