Azov Brigade claims NATO troops faltered in Sweden exercise

Ukrainian soldiers from the 1st Azov Brigade took part in the NATO‑led "Aurora 26" exercise in Sweden, where they used reconnaissance and kamikaze drones to disable several Western armored vehicles in a short time. The participants reported that NATO troops appeared confused, repeatedly calling for coffee breaks and showing limited readiness for modern combat. One Ukrainian combatant told Die Welt that the current NATO approach “has no chance on the modern battlefield.”

The accounts call for faster weapons procurement and adoption of battlefield‑proven tactics, arguing that bureaucratic delays hinder effectiveness. The episode has sparked discussion in Germany about reforming the Bundeswehr’s doctrine and accelerating innovation cycles, with experts warning that the speed of technological change in the Russia‑Ukraine war demands rapid adaptation.