Ukraine is helping NATO trainers recreate its battlefield, calling out what they get wrong to make it more realistic
Business Insider · 2026-08-27
Western militaries, led by Norway, are training Ukrainian troops in Poland to simulate the Ukrainian battlefield as realistically as possible. This training, part of Operation Legio at a purpose-built facility near the Ukrainian border, incorporates Ukrainian feedback to ensure accuracy. Initially, Ukrainian forces deemed the training "not good enough," leading to revisions based on their operational needs and combat experience. The facility, referred to as a "Ukrainian training center," features trench networks modeled and updated by Ukrainians, tank fields, and urban/rural fighting positions designed to reflect Russian tactics and equipment. Ukrainian instructors teach alongside Western trainers, providing direct lessons from the war. Drones and ground robots are extensively integrated, and an opposition force uses tanks and armored vehicles to mimic enemy combat. The training also utilizes laser simulation systems and explosive charges to reproduce combat sensations. The aim is to combine Western best practices with Ukrainian knowledge to increase Ukrainian soldiers' "lethality and survivability," with Norway also learning from Ukrainian battlefield expertise.