GTA V becomes training ground for Ukrainian drone operators targeting Shaheds
Photo: Shahed interception simulator in GTA V (screenshot)
Ukrainian instructors have integrated Shahed interception missions into a specially adapted server. The project is designed to help drone pilots maintain their skills. Developers aimed to create an environment for preserving operational readiness outside complex military platforms.
The updated server is built on GTA V Legacy and runs using the multiplayer framework FiveM.
Simulator features:
- detection of aerial targets on a large map
- extended pursuit of hostile objects
- simulation of direct FPV drone impact
- training tactics in urban environments
Operators practice reaction speed and learn to lock onto targets while in flight — skills that are essential for real-world missions.
GTA V becomes training ground for Ukrainian drone operators targeting Shaheds pic.twitter.com/xvWhJnMuDD
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 23, 2026
Entertainment or serious training?
Developers emphasize that GTA V is not a replacement for professional equipment. Military personnel are trained on other systems.
"Important clarification: real interceptor crew preparation uses specialized military simulators like Obriy," the WeTrueGun center said.
The project has a specific purpose. Specialists identify several key objectives:
- psychological decompression for experienced pilots
- maintaining active FPV piloting skills
- enabling bold experimentation without the risk of losing equipment
- entertainment after a demanding shift
Free training for future drone operators
The GTA V project is only part of a broader training ecosystem. The WeTrueGun center trains a new generation of UAV operators who plan to serve in Ukraine's security and defense forces.
Training is provided free of charge for future contract soldiers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This has been made possible thanks to support from donors. The project is funded by charitable organizations and private contributors.
What else to know about Ukrainian military drones and operators
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have introduced a new domestic training simulator for operators of FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air defense systems, designed to hunt Shahed drones.
Ukrainian border guards are using a modernized mobile air defense system to destroy enemy UAVs at night. A distinctive feature of the system is remote control using a standard gaming joystick.
Ukraine has also launched an experimental private air defense project, which has already been joined by 27 companies of various ownership forms.
