GTA 5 a Thorn in Putin's Side: Ukrainians Use It to Train Drone Pilots

GTA 5, the most flexible and widely adopted free-roaming game for personalized experiences, has found a completely unexpected new use: military training for drone pilots. According to a post from the official account of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the famous title from Rockstar Games is being used as a complementary tool to support the preparation of drone pilots engaged in the conflict against Russian forces.

The message, shared on social media with a direct reference to the popularity of the franchise, includes a video showing operators engaged in controlling a drone within GTA 5 using a real dedicated drone controller. In the simulation, the virtual aircraft follows moving vehicles on a highway and launches explosive charges, replicating scenarios that require precision, decision-making speed, and reflex readiness.

Are there any GTA fans here?
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— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU)
May 1, 2026

The content clarifies that GTA 5 does not replace real training but serves as an additional useful solution to maintain certain specific skills. In particular, the simulation enhances hand-eye coordination, command management, rapid target identification, and reactivity under pressure.

According to a report by Business Insider following discussions with major Ukrainian schools dedicated to training drone pilots, those with video game experience often start from a position of advantage. Familiarity with controllers, faster reflexes, and a greater ability to make immediate decisions make many gamers particularly well-prepared candidates in the early stages of learning.

On the other hand, just after the first year of conflict, the Ukrainian army demonstrated how the Steam Deck represents a valuable ally as a control system with an integrated display for remote field operations.

However, more advanced technical skills remain essential. An operator must have a thorough understanding of the actual flight behavior of drones, comprehend specific maneuvers for operational missions, and, in many cases, possess engineering fundamentals to modify, repair, or build devices tailored to precise requirements.

This initiative highlights how some tools originally designed for entertainment can provide support in developing concrete human skills, unfortunately employed in a dramatic scenario like war. In this context, GTA 5 emerges as an unconventional platform for honing reflexes and precision.