A new virtual training ground is reshaping how Ukrainian soldiers prepare for combat, pitting drone pilots and shooters against each other in digital duels.
Engineering company Atmaraksi rolled out Duel, a virtual reality (VR) simulator that trains troops for drone encounters by letting one soldier pilot a first-person view (FPV) drone while another tries to shoot it down.
Duel recreates the physics and logic of real-world combat in a customizable digital environment, where instructors can swap locations, change weapons, and even switch drone profiles.
It places soldiers in high-pressure scenarios where they have to make quick decisions, whether to take cover or maneuver to stay in the fight. Performance logs and analytics then let instructors evaluate and fine-tune training programs.
Unlike other VR systems that halt action well before contact, Duel keeps drones under player control until the final moment of engagement, giving both sides a realistic sense of how an actual confrontation plays out.
The company has collaborated with government agencies to make the new simulator as realistic as possible. A “checkpoint roadblock” scenario for close-quarters combat, for example, was added following recommendations from a police training center.
Going Virtual
Atmaraksi is known for developing VR solutions for both defense and civilian sectors, including machine gun and grenade launcher simulators used to train Ukrainian forces.
It has also released a VR rehabilitation program to help personnel recover from phantom pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The company said its systems meet international standards and are compatible with NATO training protocols.
Including Duel, Atmaraksi’s VR training platforms are reportedly already in service with over 100 Ukrainian units.
