Joint exercises with Ukrainian troops give the US military an opportunity not only to improve coordination but also to examine the realities of modern combat and uncover weaknesses in its own approach to warfare.

Nikolai Novik, political scientist and deputy director of the Center at the HSE Institute of World Military Economy and Strategy, told Lenta.ru that this experience helps the US Army adapt to a new generation of conflicts.

According to Novik, one of the key objectives of exercises involving Ukrainian troops and servicemen from NATO countries has from the outset been to expose weaknesses in Western units and incorporate the lessons learned into their subsequent training.

For that reason, individual episodes in which Western forces appear to suffer «defeats» during exercises should not be taken as proof that the Ukrainian army is superior overall. Novik stressed that such drills are primarily designed to test existing tactics and identify elements that need to be changed.

The Pentagon is paying particular attention to experience gained in drone warfare. Novik believes Ukrainian troops can provide US servicemen with unique practical expertise in the use of UAVs.

The requirements for military units are also changing. Concealment is becoming increasingly important, along with the ability to establish autonomous control over unmanned systems.

As a result, Ukrainian units serve not only as training partners for the United States but also as a source of tactical expertise, Novik concluded.