Denmark to Deploy Troops to Ukraine for Drone Training: Russia Warns of "Legitimate Targets"
In an unprecedented move, Denmark plans to send unarmed soldiers to Western Ukraine for drone warfare training, escalating tensions with Russia and marking the first direct NATO military personnel deployment into Ukrainian territory since the war began
Denmark has announced plans to deploy unarmed military personnel to Ukraine for specialized drone warfare training, becoming the first NATO country to send troops into Ukrainian territory since Russia's full-scale invasion began. The decision, revealed by Danish military leadership this week, has prompted immediate warnings from Moscow that these troops would be considered "legitimate targets" for Russian forces.
Key Developments: Denmark's Groundbreaking Training Initiative
The Danish Armed Forces plan to send teams of unarmed soldiers to western Ukraine as early as this summer for short-term training courses specifically focused on drone warfare tactics, according to Major General Peter Boysen, Denmark's commander-in-chief. The courses, lasting one to two weeks, will take place at training centers far from the front lines, potentially near Lviv.
"We're sending some teams down to see what experiences the Ukrainians have had — first-hand," Boysen told Danish state broadcaster TV2 on April 16. "They are not going there to actively participate in the war."
The initiative comes at the invitation of Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and is designed to give Danish military personnel direct exposure to Ukraine's innovative drone warfare techniques. While the exact number of troops has not been disclosed, the program will involve personnel from different Danish military regiments The Kyiv Independent1.
Boysen emphasized the unprecedented pace of technological advancements in unmanned systems, noting: "In the 42 years I have been in the Armed Forces, I have not experienced things moving as fast as they are right now."
Global Reactions: Russian Threats and International Response
Russia's response to Denmark's announcement was swift and severe. Vladimir Barbin, Russia's ambassador to Denmark, characterized the move as "a provocative act of military support" that would "drag Denmark deeper and deeper into the conflict in Ukraine."
"Sending Danish soldiers to Ukraine to learn how to kill Russians with drones is a deliberate provocation," Barbin told Danish state media outlet DR. He warned of "unpredictable consequences" and emphasized that "military facilities—including training centers and personnel—are legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces," even those located deep inside Ukrainian territory AA.com.tr2.
The Russian embassy in Denmark further stated that the decision "contradicts the current attempts to reach a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine" and would "jeopardise the lives of Danish soldiers" Euractiv3.
In response to these threats, Major General Boysen sought to reassure the Danish public about safety measures: "If there is a missile attack, the Ukrainians have really good early warning systems and good shelters."
Expert Insights: The Strategic Value of Drone Warfare Expertise
Military experts highlight that Denmark's decision reflects the transformative impact drone warfare has had on modern combat tactics. The Danish army chief noted that attack drones now account for over 70% of Ukrainian kills against Russian forces, making this expertise invaluable to Western militaries.
"We can learn a lot from the combat experience they have gained in Ukraine," Boysen explained, emphasizing the educational aspect of the deployment Business Insider4.
According to recent analyses from the New York Times, drones now kill more soldiers and destroy more armored vehicles in Ukraine than all traditional weapons of war combined. This shift has prompted militaries worldwide to rapidly adapt their tactics and training.
Denmark's defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, has stressed that Western nations must learn critical lessons from Ukraine's experience, particularly regarding faster production of weapons and improved combat tactics. This deployment represents a practical step toward implementing that vision.
Future Implications: A New Phase in Western Support
Denmark's decision to send troops, even in a non-combat training capacity, marks a significant evolution in Western military support for Ukraine. As one of Ukraine's strongest supporters—the second-biggest donor of aid as a proportion of GDP—Denmark has already played a leading role in providing key weapons systems, including F-16 fighter jets.
This direct deployment of military personnel could set a precedent for other NATO countries considering similar training initiatives. The move comes as Western nations increasingly recognize the need to gain firsthand experience from Ukraine's innovative battlefield tactics against a near-peer adversary.
Military analysts suggest that this training exchange could have long-term implications for NATO's force development and drone warfare doctrine. Ukraine's rapid innovation in unmanned systems—including the development of maritime drones, first-person-view (FPV) attack drones, and counter-drone technologies—offers valuable lessons that could shape Western military capabilities for decades.
However, the deployment also raises questions about potential escalation. While Danish officials insist the troops will be unarmed and stationed far from combat zones, Russia's declaration that these personnel would be considered legitimate targets highlights the inherent risks involved in any military presence on Ukrainian soil.
Denmark's decision to directly learn from Ukraine's drone warfare expertise represents a calculated risk that balances educational value against potential provocation. As Western nations continue adapting their support for Ukraine, will this training initiative remain an isolated case, or mark the beginning of a new phase in NATO's evolving approach to the conflict?
