WSJ: Ukrainian drone operators ‘easily defeated’ U.S. troops in military exercise
Ukrainian servicemen from the 412th Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) regiment “defeated” a U.S. armored brigade during an exercise this spring, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing its own sources.
American troops attacked positions defended by a mock enemy backed by USF, with the attacking side equipped with standard electronic warfare and counter-drone systems.
One participant told the newspaper that the heavy armored vehicles kicked up clouds of dust that made them easy targets for Ukrainian drones. Another source said the drones destroyed the vehicles so fast that “eliminated” American vehicles had to be rotated back in as fresh formations just to keep the exercise running.
The training scenario was repeated several times over two weeks, and the Americans gradually improved, according to a U.S. Army representative — dispersing more effectively, camouflaging their positions, and making better use of electronic warfare equipment. Halfway through the exercises, Ukrainian servicemen were sent to support the American side, and USF proved just as effective in offensive operations.
The U.S. Army was not the first to lose to Ukrainian drones, according to WSJ sources. In May 2025, Ukrainian Armed Forces drone operators “easily defeated” British, Estonian, and other NATO forces during an exercise in the Baltic region, and in another exercise this spring, USF defeated troops from Sweden and other NATO countries.
The Combined Resolve exercise ran from April 9 to May 10 at the training range in Hohenfels, Germany, and involved about 3,500 American troops. The number of Ukrainian servicemen who took part was not disclosed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered the creation of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces in June 2024, and Robert Brovdi (call sign “Madyar”) has led the force since June of last year. In recent months, USF has carried out regular strikes on Russian facilities, including oil refineries, vessels in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” and Wildberries logistics centers.
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