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Over 500 Dutch Troops Complete Training in Ukraine Under Ukrainian Military Instructors
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More than 500 Dutch military personnel completed specialized training in Ukraine in October, receiving direct instruction from Ukrainian soldiers on modern warfare, battlefield tactics, and the rapid development of military technologies.
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According to Militarnyi on November 11, Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius announced the training during her speech at the European Defence Innovation Forum 2026.
The Dutch troops participated in a practical workshop focused on how Ukrainian forces analyze frontline developments and transform combat experience into tactical and technological solutions within days.
Yeşilgöz-Zegerius emphasized that Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience has fundamentally changed its relationship with Western military partners.
She described Ukraine as possessing unparalleled knowledge of modern warfare, noting that European countries are increasingly turning to Ukrainian forces for training and technological cooperation.
The minister said Ukraine is no longer simply a country seeking military assistance. Instead, the roles are reversing, with Western partners now approaching Kyiv to learn from its battlefield experience.
The cooperation also extends beyond military training. Dutch defense companies and technology startups are gaining opportunities to test and improve their equipment under real combat conditions in Ukraine, receiving direct feedback from frontline units.
As an example, Yeşilgöz-Zegerius highlighted Nexus, a software platform developed by Dutch technology company Intelic. The system connects drones, radar systems, and other battlefield sensors, allowing military units to coordinate different technologies within a shared operational network.
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According to the minister, the technology helps protect Ukrainian personnel while enabling Dutch forces to gain practical experience operating integrated military systems in different scenarios.
Yeşilgöz-Zegerius also stressed that Western military assistance should not be viewed as charity or as an automatic entitlement to Ukrainian defense technologies. She emphasized that future cooperation must be based on equal partnerships, mutual benefits, and the exchange of military expertise between Ukraine and its European allies.
Earlier, Germany announced plans to bring Ukrainian combat veterans into its military training system under an agreement with Kyiv. Ukrainian instructors are expected to train German troops in drone warfare, artillery, armored operations, and battlefield command systems, as NATO prepares for a potential confrontation with Russia by 2029.
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