Ukrainian FPV drone operators invited to international NATO exercises Aurora 2026 on the Swedish island of Gotland effectively overwhelmed Swedish Army units during combat simulations. The exercises had to be paused several times because Western troops could not adapt quickly enough to the pace of modern drone warfare, the Associated Press reports.
Sweden’s chief of defense, General Michael Claesson, says that control of the island means control over the central part of the Baltic Sea.
During this week's military exercises, Ukrainian soldiers had the opportunity to demonstrate the combat experience they gained in the war against Russia.
The Swedish-led military exercise was held as Europe faces not only the threat of Russia but the wavering of NATO's most powerful member, the US, under President Donald Trump.
Ukrainians “eliminated” Swedish units
Ukrainian drone operators acted as the simulated enemy during NATO exercises on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea.
A 24-year-old Ukrainian FPV drone pilot with the callsign “Tarik” said the partners were forced to halt the exercises three times because of the complete dominance of Ukrainian tactics. But if it were real life, they would have been dead, he said.
Another operator with the callsign “Karat” explained that Western armies still do not fully understand the realities of modern drone warfare.
According to him, Swedish troops have potential but need to improve their drones and tactics.
Gotland as key to the Baltic
The exercises took place on the strategic island of Gotland, located between Sweden and Russia’s Kaliningrad, where Moscow has deployed missile systems.
The exercise scenario included sabotage, power outages, and a food crisis on the island even before the formal invocation of NATO Article 5.
“In theory, it could happen tomorrow," said Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström.
NATO learns from Ukraine
Swedish command openly stated that Western armies urgently need to adopt Ukraine’s experience in the use of UAVs and counter-drone warfare.
“The fastest way to learn is to listen to the Ukrainians,” General Michael Claesson said.
Ukrainian soldiers explained that FPV operators on the front lines often work “blind,” under constant pressure from Russian electronic warfare systems and artillery, and that this is precisely the experience NATO armies are now trying to study.
