Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry suggests creating video game on drone warfare in Ukraine

Russia’s minister of industry and trade, Anton Alikhanov, has proposed creating a video game centered on the use of drones in the war in Ukraine. According to sources cited by Vedomosti, Alikhanov has asked Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin to submit proposals for the project.

The Digital Development Ministry said it had not yet received an official request from the Industry and Trade Ministry but expressed general support for initiatives aimed at “developing and promoting video games by Russian developers.”

Vasily Ovchinnikov, the head of the Video Game Industry Development Organization, told Vedomosti that there is real demand in Russia for military simulators and patriotic-themed games, particularly from military and educational institutions. He said a game simulating drone flights in the “special military operation” zone could become popular if it features high production value and compelling gameplay.

Experts interviewed by Vedomosti estimated that the cost of developing such a game could range from 1 billion to 5 billion rubles (approximately $11.8 million to $59.3 million), depending on the genre and scope.