Denmark's drone initiative in Ukraine sparks Russian ire
The Danish army plans to send its soldiers to Ukraine to gain experience in modern drone combat techniques. The idea from Copenhagen has already been addressed by Russian diplomacy.
What do you need to know?
- Where will the training take place? Danish soldiers will be trained in Ukraine, possibly in the Lviv region, away from the front line.
- When will the courses start? The first groups of soldiers may begin training as early as this summer.
- Why are drones crucial? Assault drones in Ukraine account for over 70% of casualties on the Russian side, making them extremely effective.
What are the goals of the Danish trainings in Ukraine?
The commander of the Danish army, Maj. Gen. Peter Harling Boysen, announced that Danish soldiers would be sent to Ukraine to participate in training on modern drone combat techniques. "During my last visit to Ukraine, I asked if we could come for a few courses to learn firsthand, and now that opportunity has arisen," Harling Boysen said in an interview with TV2. The training aims to acquire knowledge, which trained drone operators will later pass on to their colleagues in Denmark.
Why is Denmark investing in drone training?
Denmark sees the growing importance of drones in modern armed conflicts. "We really need to have the latest versions of different types of drones, and when the need arises to go to war, so we can take them with us," emphasized Harling Boysen. Drones are not only an offensive tool but also a key element of defence against enemy attacks.
What are the alternatives to training in Ukraine?
Expert Flemming Splidsboel Hansen from the Danish Institute for International Studies notes that investments in drones are profitable because they can immobilise large and expensive weapons systems. "Investments in drones pay off, we see large and expensive weapons systems can be easily immobilised by them," Hansen notes. An alternative to training in Ukraine could be organising a training camp in eastern Poland.
Russia reacts
The Russian embassy in Copenhagen responded to the Danish plan.
Ambassador Vladimir Barbin stated that sending Danish troops to Ukraine—even under the pretext of gaining combat experience—entangles Denmark more deeply in the conflict and risks further uncontrollable escalation.
The Russian diplomat also pointed out that the Kremlin views all military sites in Ukraine, including training centres, as legitimate targets. He emphasized that sharing combat experience is not a humanitarian move, but rather a tangible show of support for the Ukrainian military.
