The Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, has proposed creating a video game centred on the use of drones in the war in Ukraine. The call comes amid increased demand for military simulators and patriotic-themed games, particularly from military and educational institutions.
According to Russian daily newspaper Vedomosti, Alikhanov has asked Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin to submit proposals for the project. The Digital Development Ministry is said to be awaiting an official request and has expressed general support for initiatives aimed at “developing and promoting video games by Russian developers”. Vasily Ovchinnikov, CEO of the Video Game Industry Development Organization, said a game simulating drone flights in the “special military operation” – as the Kremlin still calls its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine – zone could become popular.
Vedomosti reported that experts estimate the cost of developing such a game could range from one billion (£9.2million) to five billion rubles (£46million), depending on the genre and scope.
Ovchinnikov said the drone simulation game could become popular if it features high production value and compelling gameplay.
Hundreds of Russian drone and missile attacks target Ukraine on an almost daily basis.
At least 17 children are among 88 injured after Russia bombed a children’s hospital in the city of Sumy earlier this week (March 23).
A further 21 people were injured in a massive drone strike overnight in the Kharkiv region, which saw residential buildings and storage facilities damaged, emergency services and officials said on Thursday (March 27).
Emergency services said on the Telegram messaging app that the attacks triggered four fires in Ukraine‘s second-largest city and posted pictures of firefighters battling flames alongside piles of rubble.
In a post on X on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone attacks on Ukraine show Russia does not want peace, despite its pledges to US delegates during their meetings in Saudi Arabia to reach a ceasefire agreement.
“Last night, there were another 117 proofs in our skies of how Russia continues to drag out this war – 117 strike drones, most of them Shaheds,” he wrote. “Launching such large-scale attacks after ceasefire negotiations is a clear signal to the whole world that Moscow is not going to pursue real peace.”
The President added that Russia launched attacks across the country, including “a massive drone strike” on his hometown, Kryvyi Rih, and in the Sumy region. Communities in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions also came under fire.