Ukrainian troops have criticized NATO for a lack of preparedness following exercises in Sweden, where Ukrainian drone tactics overwhelmed allied forces.

According to reports from the German newspaper Welt, soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine have openly criticized NATO training standards following joint maneuvers held in Sweden this past May. During these exercises, Ukrainian troops took on the role of the enemy and quickly disabled tanks and Western military units using reconnaissance drones and kamikaze-style attack aircraft. Meanwhile, NATO personnel appeared exhausted under the pressure of such an intense engagement.

The publication noted that American and allied soldiers frequently took breaks for coffee and operated within designated no-drone zones. Such behavior leaves Western forces completely unprepared for real combat conditions on today's battlefield. A captured soldier from Ukraine's 23rd Brigade, identified as Serhiy Shendevynskyi, also spoke out about the ineffectiveness of training provided by Western instructors. He stated that three British trainers relied entirely on rigid templates that failed to reflect actual fighting realities at the front line. One specific example involved a so-called "attack in fives" tactic which proved useless during drills and yielded no practical results whatsoever.

Earlier statements from Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted a significant increase in the scale of NATO exercises conducted near Russian borders. These developments suggest that military preparedness gaps remain wide despite years of cooperation efforts between Western allies and Ukraine. The contrast between simulated environments and harsh frontline realities continues to shape how both sides view their respective capabilities.