Apr. 27 — NATO actively incorporates Ukrainian combat experience in drone warfare in their official doctrine, training with Ukrainian pilots acting as opponent — “red teams” — against NATO troops, said Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee in an interview with Ukrainian media RBC-Ukraine, conducted on Kyiv Security Forum and published today. 

“I have to say, surprises awaited us, because (Ukrainians) showed themselves as a very serious opponent,” Dragone said, adding that this training practice would, in his opinion, strengthen NATO’s ability to defend against drone attacks. 

Dragone also said he believes Ukraine to be “a security provider” rather than “security consumer” — “(Ukraine) transfers a colossal experience through JATEC, Joint Analysis Training and Education Center.” He also mentioned Ukrainian soldiers’ actions in the Persian Gulf, where, after the start of US-Israeli attacks on Iran, they helped Gulf countries to “fight off” Iranian drone strikes.  

JATEC, established in February 2025, became the first joint civilian–military organisation within NATO dedicated to the systematic analysis of the Russia–Ukraine war. This analysis was to become a basis for the implementation of changes in strategic planning, defense policy, military training, and combined operations.

On Feb. 12, The Washington Post released an article on Hedgehog 2025 training, conducted in Estonia, where Ukrainian drone pilots acted “against” NATO troops. One team of about 10 Ukrainians simulated the destruction of 17 armored vehicles and launched 30 “strikes” on other targets in about half a day. 

Aivar Gagniotti, Coordinator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems at the Estonian Defense League, called the results of Hedgehog 2025 “terrible” for NATO forces. He noted that Ukrainians “were able to eliminate two battalions in a day,” adding: “In terms of the exercise, (NATO forces) could no longer fight after that.” 

Read more

⚡ The fifth year of the Russian full-scale invasion started, so it’s been four years since most of us here at our Kharkiv-based newsroom became war reporters. Please consider supporting our journalism via a one-time donation— or join our community.