23 November 2025
The Bundeswehr plans to bring in Ukrainian veterans to teach at Germany’s military academies.
General Christian Freuding announced this in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
He noted that the experience Ukrainian forces have gained in real combat is extremely valuable and cannot be fully reproduced through standard training.
There are plans to invite Ukrainian servicemembers to Germany so they can share their knowledge with Bundeswehr officers and non-commissioned officers.
Drone operators. Photo credits: 25th Air Assault Brigade
Despite Ukraine’s extensive experience, the general noted that the war in Ukraine should not be directly equated with a hypothetical conflict between Russia and NATO countries. In his view, the Alliance’s ability to operate across all domains – on land, in the air, at sea, and in cyberspace – differs significantly from the capabilities Ukraine has or had.
“Russia’s war against Ukraine is not a template for a conflict between Russia and NATO,” he emphasized.
If the project is implemented, it will become an important step in cooperation between Ukraine and Germany, not only in terms of weapons supplies and training, but also in the direct exchange of combat experience.
Militarnyi previously reported that Ukrainian soldiers training in Poland and the Czech Republic are increasingly encountering a gap between NATO training programs and the realities of drone warfare in Ukraine.
There is an even better way to train German soldiers, but it probably won’t ever happen; send them to fight in Ukraine. Ditto for every other country that wants to stand a chance to survive in their next war.
“Ukrainian soldiers training in Poland and the Czech Republic are increasingly encountering a gap between NATO training programs and the realities of drone warfare in Ukraine.”
I take it this means Ukrainians are teaching NATO how to fight.
I think this has been the case for at least a year or even two. The West can train basics, but when it comes to decisive details that are found in this war, they are out of options and have no inkling. That’s when the Ukrainians shine.