Moderated by Dr John Nagl, professor of warfighting studies at the U.S. Army War College, the discussion featured high-ranking figures including Maj. Gen. Volodymyr Horbatiuk, Lt. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard, Maj. Robert Brovdi, Maximillian Froch, and Oleksandra Azarkhina. Together, they examined how Ukraine’s defence capabilities have transformed under the pressure of war.
According to the panel, Ukraine’s restructuring of its armed forces was central to its response to Russian aggression. Lt. Gen. Buzzard noted that the military had expanded from 20 to over 100 brigades in a short timeframe, demanding new methods of training, leadership and organisation.
“Never be satisfied with our efforts to try to learn as much as we can,” Lt. Gen. Buzzard said, urging NATO and U.S. leaders to continue drawing lessons from Ukraine’s evolving strategy. He emphasised the importance of constant adaptation in the face of a dynamic battlefield.
Panelists also pointed to strong collaboration among government bodies, private industry, and citizens as a key factor in Ukraine’s ability to innovate swiftly. Rather than relying on slower, traditional systems, the country has embraced agile, cost-effective solutions driven by needs on the ground.
Azarkhina, Co-founder of We Build Ukraine, described the country’s approach as “values-driven and resourceful.” She stressed the importance of civic engagement and called on NATO and its partners to improve intelligence sharing, procurement coordination, and strategic alignment to support Ukraine’s frontlines.
Unmanned systems such as drones and ground vehicles have played a pivotal role in Ukraine’s defence strategy, the panel said. These technologies allow for safer reconnaissance and operations, changing the nature of warfare.
Maj. Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and recipient of the “Hero of Ukraine” honour, explained that the country is actively developing a doctrine for unmanned warfare. He believes this evolving framework “will serve as a model for NATO.”
However, Brovdi outlined several major challenges still facing Ukraine. Russian forces are being deployed in overwhelming numbers, critical infrastructure continues to be targeted, and Ukraine’s civilian population is already fully mobilised, leaving no further personnel reserves.
Panelists concluded that Ukraine’s wartime experience is reshaping global defence thinking, influencing initiatives such as the U.S. Army’s Transformation Initiative. Rather than relying on legacy systems, Ukraine is leveraging technology and broad societal involvement to respond with speed and agility.
