The Danish military plans to send troops to western Ukraine to learn from frontline drone warfare, as part of a broader effort to strengthen Denmark–Ukraine military cooperation and train Danish soldiers in Ukraine, as Russia warns of ‘legitimate targets’.
Danish troops to join courses in Lviv and gain ‘first-hand’ experience
Several groups of unarmed Danish soldiers will soon travel to Ukraine for short military training programs, according to Army Chief and Major General Peter Boysen. The initiative, which is expected to start as early as this summer, comes at the direct invitation of Ukraine’s army leadership.
“These soldiers are not going down there to participate actively in the war. They are going down to gain experience,” Boysen told Danish broadcaster TV 2. “And that is at the invitation of my counterpart – the Ukrainian army chief.”
The soldiers will attend one-to-two-week courses, likely in the western city of Lviv, far from the front lines. The exact number of participants has not been made public. The goal is to let Danish personnel – not just top officers – witness how Ukraine has adapted to modern warfare, especially the use of attack drones.
Ukraine becomes a teacher as NATO allies seek combat insight
For the Danish Armed Forces (Forsvaret), the mission reflects a broader shift: Ukraine is no longer just a recipient of Western aid, but a source of knowledge. Over the past three years, Ukrainian forces have developed advanced strategies in drone warfare, which now accounts for over 70% of Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets, according to Boysen.
At Varde Kaserne, the Efterretningsregimentet (Intelligence Regiment) has just received nearly 100 attack drones and expects hundreds more. Troops are currently training with them using dummy warheads, pending delivery of live ammunition.
“This is about speeding things up,” Boysen said. “In my 42 years in the armed forces, I have never seen things move this fast.”
Russia: Danish soldiers are ‘legitimate targets’
The Russian Embassy in Copenhagen strongly criticized the plan. In a written statement to TV 2, Ambassador Vladimir Barbin said that sending Danish personnel to Ukraine “brings Danish soldiers’ lives in danger.”
According to the statement:
“Military facilities – including headquarters, training centers and personnel locations – deep inside Ukrainian territory and along the frontline, are legitimate targets for the Russian armed forces.”
The ambassador further described Denmark’s decision as an “escalation” that runs counter to efforts to find a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Boysen: Safety measures are in place, courses far from the front
Boysen has emphasized that all training will occur far from active combat zones. “They will be on courses far from the front line, for example in Lviv in western Ukraine,” he said. “And if there is a missile attack, the Ukrainians have very good warning systems and very good shelters. I have personally spent time in one in Kyiv.”
Participation in the program may be mandatory, although Boysen expressed confidence that soldiers will be motivated: “I can’t imagine anything other than Danish soldiers wanting to take courses in Ukraine. But yes, in the end they may be ordered to attend.”
Danish defence strategy shifts toward Ukrainian cooperation
Boysen’s initiative is part of a larger strategy. The Danish Defence Chief Michael Hyldgaard has already sent delegations not only from the Army but also from the Søværnet (Navy), Flyvevåbnet (Air Force), the medical corps, and the Forsvarsakademiet (Defence Academy) to Ukraine.
Now the plan is to extend training to regular troops, especially within the Army. New combat positions and protections against drone attacks are being built following Ukrainian models.
“We can learn a lot from the combat experience they have gained in Ukraine,” Boysen said. “It makes perfect sense for us to absorb their knowledge to become better fighters.”
Reactions in Scandinavia: ‘Not controversial’
The move has sparked concern in Moscow but has found support in other Nordic capitals. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Palle Ydstebø, lead instructor in land warfare at the Forsvarets krigsskole (Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College), rejected Russia’s criticism:
“The Russians are not the right ones to speak of escalation here. They started this war, and they have even brought in North Korean soldiers. These are typical Russian reactions, like a spinal reflex.”
A new phase in NATO-Ukraine relations
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the West has debated the extent of direct involvement on Ukrainian soil. Until now, the presence of Western military personnel has been viewed as a red line. Denmark’s move, while limited and non-combat in nature, may signal a shift.
For Ukraine, the cooperation aligns with its foreign policy goal of moving closer to NATO integration. According to Boysen, the Ukrainian military “fully supports” the training mission and is eager to share its knowledge.
“This is a win-win,” he concluded. “For them, for us, and for NATO.”
