Copenhagen, April 17, 2025 — Denmark is preparing to deploy military personnel to Ukraine as part of a training initiative aimed at enhancing its understanding of modern warfare, with a specific focus on drone operations, Danish broadcaster TV 2 reported this week.
The mission, which will see unarmed Danish teams from various military regiments sent to Ukraine, was confirmed by Major General Peter Boysen, Commander of the Danish Ground Forces.
According to Boysen, the goal is to observe and learn from Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience, particularly in the use of attack drones, which have become a critical component of contemporary military strategy during the ongoing war with Russia.
“In my 40 years of service, I have never seen warfare evolve as quickly as it has in Ukraine,” Boysen told TV 2.
He emphasized that the Danish personnel would not be involved in combat operations, but rather be embedded in safe zones, far from the frontlines, to gain firsthand insights into Ukraine’s tactical and technological innovations.
The planned training deployments, expected to last between one and two weeks, could commence as early as this summer. While the exact number of sessions and participating troops has not been finalized, Boysen indicated that both instructors and soldiers would be part of the mission.
Potential training locations include relatively secure western Ukrainian cities such as Lviv, where infrastructure like missile warning systems and bomb shelters is already in place.
“They are going to gain experience, not to fight,” Boysen clarified, underscoring that the mission is strictly observational and follows an official invitation from his Ukrainian counterpart.
He said his recent visits to Ukraine had been pivotal in shaping the decision, describing the experience as “eye-opening” and pointing to the urgency of adapting Denmark’s military doctrine to modern challenges.
The move, however, has drawn criticism from Russia. The Russian Embassy in Copenhagen issued a statement warning that Denmark’s involvement would further entangle it in the conflict and could contribute to a dangerous escalation. Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin labeled the plan provocative and irresponsible.
In response, Boysen dismissed the concerns, reiterating that Denmark’s personnel would not engage in combat and would be operating under strict safety protocols. “We take every precaution to ensure the security of our troops. This is about learning, not fighting,” he said.
The training mission is the latest in a series of steps Denmark has taken to support Ukraine. In March, the Danish government committed €130 million in guarantees to encourage domestic companies to invest in Ukraine’s defence sector.
Additionally, Denmark has played a prominent role in the international drone coalition, recently contributing €20 million for the procurement of tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
This deployment signals Denmark’s deepening commitment to Ukraine and highlights a growing recognition among NATO allies of the need to adapt to rapidly evolving battlefield technologies.