Cheap unmanned systems have become a defining feature of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Kyiv has not only built a defensive “drone wall” to hold back Russian advances, but also used long-range drones to strike deep inside Russia. At sea, Ukrainian naval drones helped force the Black Sea Fleet into retreat. Now, as Moscow continues to focus on its race for Arctic resources and continues to harass NATO airspace, Europe should carefully consider how Ukraine’s battlefield innovations can strengthen collective defense in the High North. Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in 2019, the Arctic “has become an arena of global power and competition.” Washington’s military strategy now calls for “regaining Arctic dominance.” And now, Ukraine and the US are reportedly nearing a landmark arms agreement where Kyiv could supply its drones to the American military.
Ukraine’s Potential Role in NATO’s Arctic Defense (David Kirichenko – The Arctic Institute)
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