Ukraine, along with representatives from the private sector and the scientific community, participated in NATO’s counter-drone exercises for the first time. The exercises took place from 10 to 20 September 2024 in the Netherlands, with over 450 participants from 19 NATO member countries. The goal was to test the interoperability of counter-drone systems and technologies, including sensors, drone-on-drone systems, jammers, and cyber interceptors.
This was Ukraine’s first participation in the exercise, which is part of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap. This roadmap was supported by both the Alliance and Ukrainian leaders at the Washington Summit in 2024. According to NATO, exercises like this provide a valuable opportunity to address challenges such as drone autonomy and interoperability, while also learning from Ukraine’s experience in countering small drones on the battlefield.
On 19 September, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered his farewell speech at a German Marshall Fund event. In his speech, he reflected on a decade of challenges and transformations within the Alliance. Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine and maintaining strong transatlantic bonds.
Stoltenberg has led NATO since 2014 and his term is set to end on 1 October 2024. His successor is expected to be Mark Rutte, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Stoltenberg is also anticipated to lead the Munich Security Conference starting in February 2025.
A recent UN report revealed that this winter, 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war were executed by Russian forces. The report also exposed Russia‘s systematic torture, killings, and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Survivors of these atrocities have described being starved, beaten, and having their nails ripped out. They were subjected to such extreme torture that they feared they would not survive.
In their own words, the survivors have described the conditions as “hell.” The report has shed light on the brutal tactics used by Russian forces in Ukraine and has called for increased support for Ukraine from the international community.
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