The European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, confirmed information about the results of NATO exercises that took place in Estonia in 2025. During these maneuvers, Ukrainian drone operators, acting as a simulated adversary, were able to conditionally “destroy” two battalions of Alliance forces in a short time.
This is reported by Kyiv24
EU Reaction to Ukrainian Experience
In an interview, Andrius Kubilius noted that this incident is widely discussed at the leadership level of the European Union. According to him, although the topic of “Ukrainian lessons” was not a separate agenda item, it is actively considered during discussions on strategic initiatives to counter drones. Kubilius emphasized that Ukrainians demonstrate a comprehensive approach in the “drone war,” which encompasses not only the production of drones but also their modernization, operational management, digital analytics, and rapid response to countermeasures.
“We did not have a separate agenda item in the commission or board called ‘Ukrainian Lessons from NATO Exercises.’ But these are the very issues we are actually discussing when we talk about the development of our flagship projects and initiatives to counter drones. So this is a well-known fact,” Kubilius added.
Conclusions for Europe’s Defense
The European Commissioner acknowledged that Europe currently lacks the capabilities in counter-drone technology that Ukraine possesses. This became particularly evident after recent provocations when drones from the Russian Federation penetrated Poland. He pointed out that European countries do not have sufficiently developed drone detection means, are not able to manage combat information as effectively as Ukraine does with its Delta system, and lack economically efficient means to destroy drones. Kubilius stressed the need to develop regional and pan-European projects to learn from Ukraine’s experience. Among such initiatives are the “Eastern Sentinel” and the “Drone Wall,” aimed at strengthening the defense of the EU’s eastern flank.
In February, the reputable publication Wall Street Journal reminded that during last year’s exercises in Estonia, a small group of Ukrainian drone operators, acting as a simulated adversary, conditionally “destroyed” seventeen units of armored vehicles and hit 30 NATO positions in half a day. After this, one of the Alliance’s commanders stated, “We are finished.”