Ukraine has fundamentally shifted its role on the global stage, transitioning from a consumer of military aid to a full-fledged security provider for the Euro-Atlantic region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are now acting as instructors for NATO units, sharing their unparalleled and unique experience in modern warfare, particularly in counter-drone operations. This statement was made by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, in a recent interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to the top Alliance official, the practice of integrating Ukrainian military personnel into international NATO exercises is becoming increasingly common and has proven to be highly effective. The level of tactical ingenuity demonstrated by Ukrainian forces is prompting Western partners to reevaluate and adapt their own military doctrines.
Ukrainian Forces as the “Red Team”: Surprising the Alliance
“Sometimes they [the Ukrainian military] act as the ‘red team’ or the simulated adversary during our counter-drone exercises. And I must tell you, we were in for some real surprises because they proved to be a very serious and formidable ‘opponent’,” Admiral Dragone emphasized.
Evaluating Ukraine’s evolving role within the global security architecture, the Military Committee Chairman stressed that it has long surpassed merely receiving Western support. The continuation of this deep military cooperation will significantly enhance the overall defense capabilities of the North Atlantic Alliance, particularly in combating unmanned aerial systems.
A striking example of this operational effectiveness was witnessed during the recent NATO multinational naval exercises, REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 2025. During these drills, a multinational maritime team led by Ukrainian specialists, acting as the simulated enemy, exposed critical vulnerabilities in NATO’s naval forces. By employing innovative approaches to unmanned surface vessel management and unconventional tactics, the Ukrainian-led team managed to “sink” at least one allied frigate, proving that the Armed Forces of Ukraine can effectively challenge even the superior forces of the NATO fleet.
Knowledge Transfer Through JATEC and Global Operations
“Ukraine is making an enormous contribution,” Dragone noted. He added that even amidst high-intensity combat operations on their own soil, the Ukrainian side continues to transfer a colossal amount of practical combat experience to its allies. This systematic sharing of knowledge is facilitated through JATEC (the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre).
Furthermore, Ukrainian expertise has been effectively applied beyond the European theater. “We are receiving and internalizing your lessons. Look at their actions in the Persian Gulf region, where Ukrainian specialists helped local countries effectively repel mass aerial attacks from Iran. So now they are truly security providers,” the Admiral highlighted.
Russian Exhaustion and the Path Forward
Discussing the broader strategic picture, Admiral Dragone pointed out the devastating toll the war of attrition is taking on the Russian military machine. According to NATO estimates, Russia is currently losing approximately 35,000 personnel per month in Ukraine. For context, the Soviet Union lost a total of 20,000 soldiers during the entire ten-year war in Afghanistan. These unprecedented losses indicate that the current intensity of the conflict is severely exhausting Russia’s economy and demographic resources.
The insights provided by Admiral Dragone underscore a pivotal transformation: Ukraine is not merely defending its sovereignty but is actively forging the future of global military strategy. By integrating Ukrainian battlefield innovations, NATO is fortifying its own readiness against emerging threats from authoritarian regimes worldwide.