In a striking development, Denmark is gearing up to send troops to Ukraine, aiming to absorb valuable lessons from the ongoing conflict with Russia. This initiative has sparked fierce warnings from Moscow, which claims these Danish forces would be legitimate military targets.

Troops to Learn and Observe

Maj. Gen. Peter Boysen, Denmark's commander-in-chief, announced that unarmed soldiers would be dispatched to Western Ukraine specifically to study drone warfare. "We're sending teams down to witness first-hand the experiences of the Ukrainians," Boysen stated during an interview with state broadcaster TV 2.

A Strategic Move?

While the Danish troops will not engage in combat, their presence in Ukraine, albeit distant from the front lines, raises alarms. Boysen emphasized the importance of this training, stating, "In the 42 years I’ve served, I’ve never seen such rapid development in uncrewed systems and tactics." The training sessions, likely starting this summer, will last one to two weeks.

Russian Retaliation Looms

Russia's ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, described the Danish deployment as a provocation that would entangle Denmark further in the conflict. He ominously asserted that Russian military assets would view any training sites as viable targets.

Ukraine's Drone Leadership

Ukraine has rapidly become a pioneer in drone warfare, demonstrating innovative tactics and creating new drone types at an unprecedented rate. With drones accounting for over 70% of Ukrainian combat kills, Boysen highlighted, "We can learn a lot from their combat experiences." Interestingly, more than 96% of the 1.5 million drones Ukraine acquired last year were domestically produced.

Lessons for Future Conflicts

This Danish initiative is not just about drones; it signals a broader understanding of modern warfare. As conflict evolves, experts suggest drones will play a crucial role in any future battles. Denmark has already ramped up its defense spending and is the second-largest contributor of aid to Ukraine relative to GDP, emphasizing the need for continued support and innovation.

A Call to Action

Denmark’s Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, reinforced the urgency for the West to learn from Ukraine’s tactics and enhance their weapon development processes. It’s clear that the conflict in Ukraine is reshaping military strategies across Europe and beyond, with nations recognizing the need to adapt to new realities.