Norwegian MP Smuggled Thermal Drones to Ukraine—Then Helped Change the Law

Norwegian lawmaker Peter Frølich knowingly broke his country’s export rules in 2023 to get civilian drones equipped with thermal cameras into Ukraine, arguing that bureaucratic delays were putting Ukrainian soldiers’ lives at risk. He revealed the episode in his book Om krigen kommer and later discussed it with Norwegian broadcaster NRK on October 21.

Frølich, a member of Norway’s Conservative Party, sent drones through Fritt Ukraina, an organization he founded with a group of volunteers to support Ukraine.

The group initially attempted to ship several thermal-imaging drones aboard the Kiel ferry, but Norwegian customs officials stopped the shipment. At the time, a decades-old regulation dating back to the 1950s made the export illegal.

Fritt Ukraina then appealed to the Norwegian government but received no immediate response. Frølich wrote that the situation was urgent and that delays could cost Ukrainian troops their lives.

The organization ultimately went ahead with the transfer despite the restriction.

Frølich said he does not encourage others to routinely break the law, but still believes the decision was justified.

“This is not something one should make a habit of. But sometimes you have to follow your gut and do what is obviously right, and show decisiveness,” he said.

The morning after the drones had been sent, the organization was informed that the government would fast-track consideration of the issue.

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The rules were later changed, allowing civilian commercial drones to be legally sent to Ukraine.

Frølich has said he does not regret the decision, arguing that the episode exposed how outdated regulations were slowing assistance at a time when thermal-equipped drones had become critical tools for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine and Norway were accelerating development of the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile defense program, with initial components already showing progress and the first tests targeted for the end of 2026.

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