Image: Danish Military via forsvaretsmediearkiv.dk
Copenhagen has announced a major new contribution to Ukraine’s military training capabilities, funding modern facilities, equipment, and drones through a partnership with Ukrainian non-profit Come Back Alive.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen travelled to Kyiv to unveil the initiative alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykhailo Fedorov. The package, worth approximately DKK 243 million (roughly €32 million), is financed under Denmark’s Donation Package 29.
The funding targets practical training infrastructure rather than front-line weapons. It covers instructional facilities, accommodation, sanitary infrastructure, and drones designated for training use. The investment aims to give Ukrainian troops modern, secure conditions to develop combat skills on home soil.
Shifting Training to Ukrainian Territory
A central objective of the initiative is to build Ukraine’s capacity to train soldiers domestically. Conducting training inside Ukraine reduces transit time and accelerates the delivery of battlefield-ready personnel.
“It is essential that Ukraine increasingly conducts training on its own territory, so that it can deliver faster operational effect on the battlefield,” Poulsen said. “With this initiative, we contribute to giving the soldiers the best possible conditions.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Fedorov welcomed the announcement, describing the project as a first of its kind. “This is the first example of a strategic enhancement of military training capabilities in Ukraine with the support of our partners,” he said. “Danish investments in infrastructure, equipment and drones make it possible to create modern and safe training conditions and deliver a rapid impact on the battlefield.”
A New Procurement Model
Denmark structured the agreement through Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian non-profit active in military training support since 2015. The choice of partner reflects a deliberate shift in Denmark’s support mechanism, according to the Danish Ministry of Defence.
The arrangement allows procurement from a broader range of Ukrainian suppliers than previous Danish donation frameworks permitted. Denmark says this approach simultaneously strengthens Ukrainian forces and bolsters Ukraine’s domestic defence industry — a dual objective increasingly prioritised by European donor nations.
Denmark selected Come Back Alive on the recommendation of Ukrainian and international partners. The agreement was concluded in late 2025, responding to a Ukrainian request for training equipment and associated infrastructure.
Come Back Alive Director Taras Chmut said the project marks an escalation of existing cooperation. “This year, our cooperation is reaching a new level,” he said. “We will implement the first large-scale project on building training infrastructure for the Defence Forces — providing decent and safe conditions for the training of our drone operators and infantry.”
Sustained Danish Commitment
The announcement reinforces Denmark’s position as one of Ukraine’s most consistent European defence partners. Copenhagen has provided continuous military assistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, spanning equipment donations, financial contributions, and training support.
The focus on drone operator training reflects broader trends across NATO member support efforts. Unmanned systems have become central to Ukraine’s battlefield tactics, and allied nations have increasingly tailored assistance to address this need.
According to the Danish Ministry of Defence, the initiative represents an evolution in how Denmark structures its support — moving toward mechanisms that engage Ukrainian industry and institutions directly, rather than relying solely on transfers of Western-sourced materiel.
Source: Danish MoD
