1 May 2026
During the Aurora 26 exercises in Sweden, Ukrainian soldiers are leading drone warfare training.
According to SVT Nyheter, they are training the Swedish Armed Forces’ only air defense regiment, Luftvärnsregementet Lv6.
Swedish air defense troops are learning from Ukraine’s experience in using both reconnaissance and strike drones.
“They complained that we used only two drones, but in reality there should have been many more,” says Ukrainian soldier Vadym.
In addition, Ukrainian troops are teaching Swedish soldiers how to defend against explosives dropped from attack drones.
About 18,000 personnel from 13 countries are taking part in the Aurora 26 exercises.
Ukrainian soldiers train Swedish troops to operate drones during the Aurora 26 exercises. April 2026. Source: Luftvärnsregementet Lv6.
The main focus is on warfare using unmanned systems, including maritime and air defense applications.
Scenarios for the rapid deployment of forces in Northern Europe and along the eastern flank are also being practiced.
Ukrainian troops are taking part in the exercises as part of the expanded JEF–Ukraine partnership with the Joint Expeditionary Force.
A Swedish soldier launches a reconnaissance drone during the Aurora 26 exercises. April 2026. Source: Luftvärnsregementet Lv6.
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a UK-led multinational military partnership of Northern European countries designed for rapid response and expeditionary operations.
Swedish defense officials stress that the expanded JEF–Ukraine partnership is an important step toward closer cooperation and deeper integration with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
A Swedish soldier practices shooting down drones with a machine gun during the Aurora 26 exercises. April 2026. Source: Luftvärnsregementet Lv6.
During NATO exercises, Ukrainian drone operators are also actively used as a simulated adversary. In training scenarios, they carry out drone attacks against Alliance units.
An increasing number of Western nations are getting hungry. They are hungry for knowledge. They want to know what the Ukrainians know. The Ukrainians are masters of the newest type of warfare, and this means that the Ukrainians are masters of surviving and of winning, even against all odds. This is essential when you see that the largest part of this planet is made up of hostile countries.
A nation that is not seeking Ukraine’s knowledge is a very foolish nation. The United States, under the gangster Trump, is such a foolish nation.