650 participants from 24 countries: Ukraine brings its battle-tested drone-defense experience to NATO’s Baltic Trust 2026 exercise
For Ukraine, taking part as a valued contributor rather than an aid recipient marks its deepening integration with the alliance it seeks to join.
650 NATO participants from 24 countries gathered for Baltic Trust 2026, a counter-drone exercise in Latvia from August 3-14. The drill targeted Russian drones threatening NATO's eastern flank. Ukraine, with its extensive drone battle experience, participated, contributing valuable practical knowledge to the joint effort. The exercise focused on integrating various systems—detection tools, command-and-control systems, and counter-drone measures—into a cohesive operational picture.
Ukraine's involvement was particularly significant, as it has faced the most intense drone attacks in the region. NATO scrambled fighter jets over the Baltic States in July, and on the drill's final day, a NATO fighter downed a Russian drone over Latvia after it was diverted by electronic warfare. This high-stakes, collaborative exercise aimed to translate Ukraine's battlefield lessons into enhanced NATO readiness against the growing drone threat.
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