RAND says Ukraine applies corporate metrics to boost Russian casualties and economic strain

RAND analysts report that Ukraine runs its war effort like a business, using performance targets to increase Russian troop losses and economic damage.

A RAND study notes that Ukraine treats its military campaign with the efficiency of a corporation, setting explicit KPIs that include killing 200 Russian troops for every square kilometre captured and targeting a minimum of 50,000 Russian casualties per month. Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s “mathematics of war initiative” gathers data to refine this attrition strategy, while the novel “ePoints” program lets drone crews earn points for successful missions, which can be traded for additional drones.

Ukraine’s defense sector, bolstered by rapid innovation and mass production, now produces millions of drones annually, enabling deep strikes on Russian oil refineries, weapons factories and e-commerce hubs. These attacks are adding pressure to an already strained Russian economy, though public unrest against President Vladimir Putin remains limited. RAND concludes that sustained attrition and long-range strikes could force Russia to negotiate, especially with continued support from Ukraine’s allies.