Ukrainian soldiers shocked by European troops' 'coffee breaks' during NATO exercise

Ukrainian soldiers who took part in a NATO exercise in Sweden experienced what they described as a "cultural shock," finding the training less rigorous than anticipated. The Ukrainian troops observed that their European counterparts frequently took coffee breaks, appearing surprised by the effectiveness of Ukrainian tactics.

During the exercise, Ukrainian reconnaissance and kamikaze drones proved highly effective, easily disabling Western tanks. This demonstration of capability contrasted sharply with the perceived pace and intensity of the training conducted by some European units.

One soldier, speaking to the German newspaper Die Welt, highlighted the stark difference in operational tempo. The Ukrainian forces, accustomed to the intense demands of real-world combat, found the exercise's frequent pauses for coffee and the apparent surprise of other participants noteworthy. This experience offered a unique perspective on differing military training cultures and operational readiness.

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they constantly took coffee breaks and seemed surprised.