Colonel Boardman, commander of the British-led training program "Operation Interflex," stated on 7/8, "We have to expand the use of drones, and now we're using them as offensive weapons. We use drones to drop water balloons during training exercises."

According to Boardman, the water balloons simulate grenades or explosive devices on the battlefield. This allows trainers to prepare Ukrainian soldiers for countering drones, which are being widely used by both Russia and Ukraine.

Soldiers attach water balloons to a drone during a training session at the East Anglia training ground, UK. Photo: Telegraph

Soldiers attach water balloons to a drone during a training session at the East Anglia training ground, UK. Photo: Telegraph

Operation Interflex, led by the UK and involving 13 partners, has trained over 56,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Participants include new recruits preparing for deployment and experienced soldiers seeking to enhance their combat or command skills.

Boardman noted that Ukrainian soldiers are often deployed immediately after completing the training.

"We probably teach Ukrainian soldiers more than new British army recruits, because British soldiers don't go to the front lines immediately after completing basic training. British drone operators are training Ukrainian soldiers to simulate the battlefield with drones as effectively as possible," Boardman explained.

Some amputees also participate in the training, playing the role of battlefield casualties. This, according to Colonel Boardman, shocks new Ukrainian recruits and makes them truly believe they are facing real casualties.

Drones are increasingly prevalent in modern conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war. Western militaries are prioritizing drone warfare. The US has opened a drone training school with Ukrainian military advisors, and Denmark plans to send soldiers to Ukraine to learn about drone operations.

The Ukrainian military is considered to have more practical experience with drones than the Western countries training their soldiers. Additionally, many Ukrainian soldiers have more combat experience than their Western trainers.

Boardman acknowledged this mutual awareness and the benefits derived from it, saying, "Some Ukrainian soldiers know exactly how to take a trench because they did it a few weeks ago. When they're instructed on optimal combat methods, they can assess which option is most effective."

This knowledge, according to Boardman, will be shared with the British Army. This comes as the UK is developing its own drone warfare tactics, but its army is not involved in any conflict and "cannot develop this as quickly as Ukraine."

Nguyen Tien (AFP, AP, Business Insider)