Ukraine's Azov Brigade Drone Specialists Train Latvian National Guard Soldiers

Representatives of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade "Azov" of Ukraine's National Guard have run training in Latvia for members of the Latvian National Guard (Zemessardze) and soldiers. The training focused on working in conditions where unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, control the battlefield. The subject matters to countries reviewing how they prepare their armed forces since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The training is documented in a video published by the Ukrainian unit itself. The source does not say when or where in Latvia the sessions took place, or how many people took part.

The Latvian view

The video features Lieutenant Colonel Ēriks Keisters, commander of the National Guard's 1st Riga Brigade. He says Latvian soldiers have a great deal to learn from their Ukrainian counterparts. According to him, National Guard members are particularly interested in the Azov brigade's experience of using drones.

The Zemessardze is part of Latvia's National Armed Forces, and its soldiers combine service with civilian life. The material released by the Ukrainian side shows how such an exchange of experience has worked in practice, although the source gives no further detail on what the training covered.

The published video offers a broader look at the training.