The Danish Armed Forces will deploy unarmed personnel to Ukraine to observe and study the country’s frontline innovations in drone warfare. Major General Peter Boysen, Denmark’s commander-in-chief, announced the initiative during an interview with state broadcaster TV 2, describing the effort as a short-term training observation mission slated to begin as early as this summer.
“We’re sending some teams down to see what experiences the Ukrainians have had – first-hand,” Boysen said. “They are not going there to actively participate in the war.”
Unlike the numerous NATO-led training missions that have taken place outside Ukraine’s borders since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Denmark’s plan marks one of the first official acknowledgments of allied personnel entering Ukrainian territory for military-related observation.
According to Boysen, the Danish teams will be stationed at training centers in western Ukraine, well away from the front lines, with the region around Lviv considered a likely location. Each course is expected to last one to two weeks and will be conducted by Ukrainian forces with Danish troops in a strictly observational role. The objective is to glean insights from Ukraine’s rapidly evolving drone warfare strategies and integrate them into Denmark’s own military doctrine.
“In the 42 years I have been in the Armed Forces, I have not experienced things moving as fast as they are right now,” Boysen remarked.
Both Ukraine and Russia have heavily relied on drones for a wide range of purposes, including reconnaissance, artillery coordination and precision strikes. Denmark views the Ukrainian theater as a real-time laboratory for modern conflict, particularly in how drones are integrated into both conventional and asymmetric operations.
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Boysen noted that the initiative is being undertaken at the invitation of Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi. He also highlighted the Ukrainian military’s preparedness and infrastructure for hosting foreign personnel, including robust air raid alert systems and shelters.
“I’ve spent time in one of them in Kyiv myself,” Boysen said.
The announcement has not gone unnoticed by Russia. In a strongly worded statement, Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin condemned the move as a “provocation,” warning that it could deepen Denmark’s entanglement in the conflict.
“Facilities, including headquarters, training and education centers, as well as locations of military personnel and military equipment, both deep inside Ukrainian territory and on the front line, are a legitimate target for the Russian Armed Forces,” Barbin said.
Despite such threats, Copenhagen appears committed to a long-term partnership with Kyiv. Denmark was among the first European nations to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine earlier this year. The 10-year pact, finalized in February 2024, outlines sustained defense cooperation aimed at supporting Ukraine until it secures NATO membership.
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In addition to the training observation mission, Denmark has also expressed interest in a separate initiative under discussion among European allies, namely the possible deployment of a multinational “reassurance force” to Ukraine. This would occur only after a ceasefire and would focus on securing key infrastructure and facilities in rear areas to help stabilize the country during post-war reconstruction and reform.
For now, the immediate focus remains on gathering operational knowledge. The Danish teams will come from various regiments and will rotate through the program over the coming months.
Boysen’s visits to Ukraine, including his recent talks with Syrskyi, helped lay the groundwork for the initiative. “This is about learning,” he said. “The Ukrainians are setting the pace for drone warfare, and we must keep up.”
The Danish Defense Ministry is expected to release further operational details in the coming weeks. The first Danish teams could arrive on Ukrainian soil as early as June.
Post Image – Danish PM Mette Frederiksen meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November 2024 (Post Image Credit: Official Website of the President of Ukraine)
