Following initial training courses, the German armed forces plan to expand the use of Ukrainian instructors within Germany. General Lieutenant Christian Freuding, the Inspector General of the Army, stated in “Welt am Sonntag” that Ukrainian instructors have currently been utilized at the Armored Troops School, the Unmanned Systems training and exercise facility, and the Pioneer School. He added that they are now arriving at the Artillery School, and they intend to broaden this deployment further across the army.
These first instructors, who have proven combat experience, were deployed at German troop schools even before Easter. Freuding emphasized his goal to pair Ukrainian soldiers with practical combat experience alongside German instructors so they can develop, teach, and impart skills together in the field, simulating conditions as close as possible to actual wartime scenarios.
The Inspector General also announced plans to adapt the armed forces’ structure to better reflect the realities of modern warfare, particularly involving unmanned systems. This means, according to him, that the armored troops and the mechanized infantry will increasingly fight using unmanned systems, both on land and in the air. Furthermore, they plan to use these systems to enhance their indirect fire capabilities-the artillery function-and utilize them extensively in reconnaissance units, logistical support, and for casualty evacuation.
Regarding the military situation in Ukraine, where Russia has struggled to make significant territorial gains in recent months, Freuding views the Kremlin as being under pressure. He noted that in addition to operational and even tactical setbacks for the Russian armed forces, Ukrainian partners report losses of over 400 Russian soldiers killed or wounded per square kilometer of territory gained. This trend gives Germany a valuable amount of time. He concluded that everything currently engaging and exhausting the Russian armed forces improves Germany’s position in building its own deterrent capability.